The Home Office consultation is considering whether to introduce a ‘right to ask’ disclosure scheme where someone could ask the police about a person’s previous history of domestic violence or violent acts. An alternative would be a ‘right to know’ scheme where the police would proactively release information in certain circumstances.
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, said that “ending violence against women and girls” was a “personal priority” for her and for the Government.
The Government is already taking a range of action to tackle domestic violence:
- They published an action plan – “A Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls” - in Spring of 2011 to help prevent violence and provide more support for victims.
- They have provided £28 million of stable funding to for specialist domestic and sexual violence services across the Spending Review period.
- They are piloting Domestic Violence Protection Orders which allow the police or magistrates to stop offenders from contacting victims or returning home for up to 28 days.
- They have enacted Domestic Homicide Reviews which will allow lessons to be learned from domestic homicides with a view to help prevent future homicides and violence.
Commenting, Graham said: “I’m pleased that ending violence against women and girls is a top priority for this Government.
“Domestic violence is a dreadful sort of abuse that has no place in Britain or indeed anywhere else.
“It’s right that we consider disclosing information about an individual’s history of domestic violence to their partner if it could protect potential victims of this terrible crime.”