NCJ Number
224871
Date Published
2008
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This guide provides agencies and practitioners in England and Wales with information and resource sources on the lawful and responsible sharing of information on a client’s domestic-abuse victimization.
Abstract
The guide is intended for practitioners who work directly with victims of domestic violence or are involved in the assessment of risk. This includes a range of professionals from the health, education, criminal justice, and social welfare fields. The guide provides an overview of why responsible information-sharing is important in assisting victims of domestic violence, as it benefits both victims and the multiple agencies that serve them. Key British legal provisions that pertain to lawful information-sharing are reviewed. An introduction to good practice in information-sharing suggests that professionals and agencies that need to share information on domestic violence victims consider obtaining explicit written consent or documented verbal consent from the victim. Also, there should not be a presumption that clients will not agree to their information being shared. If consent is denied, practitioners should not override the victim’s decision unless the urgency of the situation requires it. Guidance is also provided on the documentation of information shared and the features of a protocol on the best way to ensure that information-sharing is done safely, lawfully, and effectively. 17 exhibits of guidelines for information-sharing; 35 sources for further information; 13 references; and appended overview of legal provisions on information-sharing, examples of information-sharing pathways for child protection and adult protection, and suggested process for developing a domestic violence information-sharing protocol