Nearly 1 thousand domestic abuse disclosures through police scheme
Police can tell people about the abusive past of a partner under the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland
On the fourth anniversary of a scheme that allows people in Scotland to find out about their partner's past domestic abuse, its been revealed that almost 1,000 have been given information using the system in the last year.
The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS) gives people the right to ask police if they suspect their current partner may have an abusive history and gives police the power to tell someone if they think they may be at risk.
New figures show that between October 1 2018 and September 30 2019, a total of 924 disclosures were made under the scheme.
Police said that more people are making enquiries every year with the number of requests having increased year-on-year, and in the past year alone, it rose by 59% to 2,177.
This takes into account applications under both the Right to Ask, received from individuals, and the Power to Tell, where Police Scotland decides to make a disclosure to safeguard a person.
Detective Superintendent Gordon McCreadie, Police Scotland's national lead for domestic abuse, said: "Domestic abuse is unacceptable and it is vital that we collectively use every tool at our disposal to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
"The scheme is an important tool in tackling domestic abuse and it is really encouraging that our officers are increasingly using it to protect people at risk of harm.
"Anyone who is concerned about their partner's past, or who thinks their friend or colleague may be subject to domestic abuse, can make an application under the scheme.
"Where a risk is identified a disclosure will be made to the person at risk of abuse, enabling them to make an informed choice about continuing the relationship or making themselves safe.
"We do not tolerate domestic abuse. We investigate fully all reports received and perpetrators should expect to face the full consequences of their abusive behaviour.''
Police Scotland said that in the four years since the scheme was launched, 5,700 requests have been received and 2,760 disclosures have been made.
The force said it has worked extensively to raise the profile of the scheme among officers and this has led to a 71% rise in applications made under the Power to Tell in the last year.
The scheme also allows any concerned third party such as a parent, relative, neighbour or friend to make the application on a person's behalf.
Each case is considered by a multi-agency panel to determine whether disclosure is lawful, necessary and proportionate to protect the individual from their partner.
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