‘Social Care Told me I Had to’: Empowerment And Responsibilization in The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

Abstract Domestic Violence Disclosure Schemes (DVDS), recently introduced in many jurisdictions, aim to empower victim-survivors of domestic abuse by giving them access information about their partner’s criminal history. This paper presents findings from the largest study police implementation first such scheme, United Kingdom 2014. It finds that disclosure process is increasingly being shaped a child protection agenda makes responsible for protecting children harms abuse. examines tensions and dilemmas this raises seeking safeguarding victim-survivors, draws on feminist ethical theory develop more nuanced understanding dynamics between professional spheres protection.