Examining the Implementation and Experiences of Domestic Violence Disclosure Schemes

Domestic violence (DV) is a significant problem with 30% of women globally experiencing physical, psychological or sexual violence perpetrated by a partner/former partner in their lifetime (WHO, 2018). In Northern Ireland, from October 2018 to September 2019, the number of DV incidents reported to police was 31,682 (PSNI, 2019), the highest level since records began in 2004/05. Given the hidden nature of abuse (NICE, 2015) actual levels of DV are likely to be much higher. Whilst women and men of all ages can be DV victims, evidence shows it disproportionately affects women in terms of perpetration and severity (Cerise, 2011; Office for National Statistics, 2018). Between 2009 and 2017 in the UK, a male killed a female partner/former partner approximately every four days (Women's Aid, 2018). As a result, much of the policy focus in the UK has centred on 'violence against women'.
Early policy attention focussed on recognising DV as a problem in society, more recently a focus on prevention and early intervention aims to make life safer for victims/potential victims. Current preventative measures include educative work in schools, awareness-raising campaigns, and increased safeguarding measures for vulnerable people (GOV.UK, 2016). As policy continues to focus on reducing victimisation and decreasing recidivism, new disclosure schemes enabling individuals to seek information on their partner's past have been introduced-research into these schemes in all jurisdictions, including those operating for some time, has been limited thus far. Evaluations of schemes in other countries focus on outcomes based on numbers of disclosures made. A more in-depth examination of the implementation, rationale, and theoretical underpinnings of disclosure schemes is lacking. The overall aim of the proposed project is to address this gap in knowledge through an examination of the implementation of the Domestic Violence Abuse Disclosure Scheme (DVADS) in NI and its potential to prevent DV, drawing on perspectives of policymakers, practitioners, victim/survivors.
Given the relative infancy of DVADS in NI and elsewhere significant gaps in knowledge exist relating to the ways in which the scheme has been implemented and experienced. Drawing on the Northern Irish context, the overall aim of this research is to provide a detailed examination of the implementation of the DVADS and explore the ways in which it is understood and experienced by a range of individuals.
The project has the following objectives: examine the rationale and theoretical justifications for the introduction of DVADS; analyse the extent and outcome of applications to DVADS; assess the implementation of DVADS and its potential implications for victim/survivors and perpetrators of violence; assess the perceived effectiveness of DVADS from perspective of practitioners, policymakers, and individuals who have accessed it.
The research will make a unique theoretical contribution to debates beginning to emerge related to DVADS and similar schemes, and contribute to wider debates on the prevention of DV. As the first in-depth examination, the research will provide important insight into areas of good practice as well as limitations in implementation and delivery. The study will contribute to policy and practice development related to DVADS, and other schemes globally, maximising its potential to enhance safety and protection of those accessing it.
The research will utilise an embedded mixed methods design (Bryman, 2016) where analysis of secondary data will be embedded in a larger qualitative design. Influenced by a feminist methodological approach, accessing the reality of women's experiences is a priority. The qualitative element allows for in-depth examination of experiences of those involved at personal and professional levels, whilst quantitative analysis of a secondary dataset will provide context on the extent to which DVADS is being accessed and the associated outcomes.