Alleged DV victim calls for national register to help save lives

After allegedly being abused by her partner, Emily Lewis found not only a world of support online but a frightening trend.

She realised many domestic violence offenders move from relationship to relationship without anyone knowing about their past.

There is no centralised Australian database where you can look up domestic violence convictions across states and territories.

Lewis wants a national register to help save lives.

“There really isn’t anything in this country right now that gives women the knowledge they need before they start to date, or men for that matter,” Lewis said.

Statement from the attorney-general

The Albanese government is committed to an Australia that is free from domestic violence.

All Australian governments are working to deliver on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

On 6 September 2024, National Cabinet agreed to a $4.7 billion package to accelerate action to deliver the plan and end gender-based violence in a generation.

This includes the development of a shared understanding, across all governments, of what constitutes a serial or high-risk family violence offender and implementing system enhancements to the National Criminal Intelligence System to alert police nationwide to people who meet this criteria.

The attorney-general is continuing to work closely with state and territory counterparts, who have primary responsibility for these matters, to drive decisive action on responses to family, domestic and sexual violence. 

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).