SA to introduce new domestic violence laws

The South Australian government is developing laws to allow people at risk of domestic violence to find out if their partner has a history of offending.

South Australians at risk of domestic violence could be able to find out if their partner has a history of abusive behaviour.

The state government on Saturday announced protocols for a domestic violence disclosure scheme, alongside new laws to make video evidence admissible in domestic violence court cases.

The disclosure scheme was proposed in a Domestic Violence Discussion Paper released last year and based on the UK's "Clare's law", introduced following the 2009 murder of 36-year-old Clare Wood by her ex-boyfriend.

SA says it will work with police and the Office for Women to nut out exactly how its disclosure scheme will work.

Attorney-General John Rau says the government will also work to classify a wider range of domestic violence-related offences as "aggravated" to ensure harsher legal penalties.

"However, there is more that can be done," Mr Rau said in a statement.

"The government will work with SAPOL, the courts and the Director of Public Prosecutions to find ways to improve the way we collect data about family violence, so we have the information to develop targeted programs to better protect South Australians."

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.


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Source: AAP


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