The Victorian Coalition is proposing a scheme that would allow a person to have police check the criminal history of their romantic partner and advise them of possible risks, in a bid to help stop violence against women. The proposed plan allows someone to ask police to do a background check on a current or former partner without that partner’s knowledge.

The purpose is ultimately to protect women who are at risk of intimate violence by a partner, who has not revealed their criminal history. This knowledge could, in some instances, save lives.

The person requesting the background check could be the person in the relationship, or a family member. An application can be made at the local police station for a criminal check to be performed, with assessments looking for past criminal behaviour, in particular violence or breaches of intervention orders.

Any information that could put a person at risk would be discussed face to face in a police station or at an agreed safe spot. Support staff would be present. In urgent cases, criminal history information could possibly be given within 48 hours.

Victoria Police made this submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, following the path forged by the United Kingdom, who has a similar program called Clare’s Law. Clare Wood was murdered in 2009, with no knowledge of her partner’s criminal past.

New Zealand and New South Wales both have these programs in place. Privacy, a big concern, would be protected as much as possible, while also keeping vulnerable people safe. Only serious crimes or relevant crimes would be revealed.

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