Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS)

Lincolnshire Police’s Successful Adoption of the Scheme

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme launched nationally on the 8th March 2014, Lincolnshire Police have successfully responded and the Scheme is fully operational in the county.

The aim of the scheme is to introduce recognised and consistent procedures for disclosing information to persons with concerns about a current partner. It enables a current partner of a violent individual to make informed choices about whether and how to take forward that relationship. There are two routes to the scheme – Right to Ask and Right to Know.

The scheme in Lincolnshire involves the following agencies: Lincolnshire Police, Children’s Services, Adult Services, Probation and the IDVA service. A monthly Decision Making Forum is established where decisions are made about each application.

To date (up to 31st October 2014) there have been 25 applications under the Scheme, 15 Right to Ask Applications, 10 Right to Know Applications.

These cases have all been discussed at the Decision Making forum resulting in 13 disclosures being authorised to be given by the Public Protection Unit (PPU) Domestic Abuse Detective Sergeant.

A case from Lincolnshire:

A woman was conditioned by her partner to believe she was the problem; the perpetrator blamed her for the abuse, saying it was her behaviour that caused it. He claimed he wasn’t normally like that and had never been like it before, and that it was all her fault.

The specialist Domestic Abuse Service considered the case and made an application to Lincolnshire Police. The research conducted determined that the perpetrator had a history of violence towards women, had used weapons in the past, and had previous convictions.

This information was passed to the female in the company of an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) and with assistance from Housing, which completely changed her perception of the situation.

For the first time, she had been presented with evidence that it wasn’t her fault and it was the perpetrators behaviour.

It was the catalyst to make a change – the female was provided a refuge place in another area. She has been given the opportunity to pursue a new life.

There are two leaflets available which explain the scheme further – for those in a relationship and worried that your partner may have been abusive in the past, or if you are concerned that someone you know may be in a relationship and is at risk of domestic abuse.

They are available on the force website: http://lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Campaigns/Operation-NOVA/Domestic-Abuse/Domestic-Violence-Disclosure-Scheme.html

If you are considering making an application or have an inquiry about someone you know who may be at risk of domestic abuse, please contact us via our non-emergency number 101.