Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

Are you feeling unsafe in your relationship?

Are you concerned about the safety of someone you know?

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) provides an avenue for a person who may be at risk of domestic violence to obtain information about their partner or former partner, to help make decisions about their safety and the future of the relationship. Regardless of the outcome of the application, the person at risk will be connected with a domestic and family violence specialist who can discuss their concerns, the disclosure, and their options moving forwards.

What kind of information will the person at risk receive?

Convictions for relevant offences (including interstate where possible)
Relevant reports made to police, along with any charges laid
Current and historical intervention orders
Breaches of intervention orders
Other information relevant to the safety of the person at risk that police may hold

“The DVDS helped me to realise the seriousness of my situation, and to acknowledge that I am unsafe. I felt really empowered by the information and resources provided to me. This service is amazing. I walked out of there feeling so much support.”

Will the person whose behaviour I’m worried about know I’ve made an application?

No. Your safety is front of mind to everyone involved in the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, and your application is strictly confidential.

I’m worried about my sister / daughter / colleague / friend. Do I need their permission to make an application?

No.You can apply based on your concerns without telling the person you’re worried about, and your details will remain confidential to them. However, where possible it is helpful for the person you have concerns about to know that you’ve made an application, so they won’t be surprised when we make contact with them.

I’m worried about the safety of someone I’m supporting through my work. Can I make an application on their behalf?

You can, provided you are willing to identify your place of work so that we can verify your position.. Roughly 10% of our applications, or 1 in 3 of our Third Party Applications, are made by professionals.

English isn’t my preferred language / I have accessibility requirements.

We are committed to making the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme accessible to all South Australians who need it. Interpreters are available for people who use a language other than English, and we will work with applicants to support their accessibility needs.

Information about the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme in languages other English can be found in the “Resources” section at the bottom of this page.

Is this Scheme open to LGBTIQA+ populations?

Yes. People of all genders can make an application through the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme if they are in an intimate partner relationship – gender is not part of the eligibility criteria for the Scheme.

What happens if the person whose behaviour I’m worried about doesn’t have a relevant record?

This isn’t an uncommon outcome for applications to the DVDS. For a range of reasons, many people who use violence against their partners do not have information held on police systems relating to their behaviour.

Regardless of the outcome of your application, we recognise that you have come to us because you have safety concerns, and we will always take these concerns seriously, listen to you, and believe you. Our domestic and family violence specialist can work with anyone based on their own experiences to understand risk, what resources may be available to assist, and to make a plan to support safety.

I don’t feel comfortable dealing with the police. Can I still access the DVDS?

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme is a partnership between SA Police (SAPOL) and Women’s Safety Services SA SAPOL’s involvement is necessary to ensure that disclosures meet legal eligibility criteria, and to access relevant records. All officers working on the DVDS have a specialisation in domestic and family violence, and the Scheme is centrally coordinated

We recognise that some people may have concerns about engaging with police, and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure this is not a barrier to accessing the Scheme. It’s important to note that people wishing to access the DVDS will at no point be required to visit a police station, or be pressured to report criminal behaviour (of their current or former partner, or anyone else) to police.

“I walked out of my disclosure meeting feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders: it wasn’t me; it was the same pattern of abuse he used in his previous relationships. It’s hard to express the freedom I feel now. This was the start of my recovery. It helped more than I can say.”

You can apply online on SA Police website or in person at your local police station.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme is an early intervention and prevention initiative. It is not an emergency response service.

Dial 000 in an emergency or 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance.