Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS)

The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) is a Police Scotland safeguarding process that enables information about a person’s abusive past to be disclosed where necessary to help protect someone from domestic abuse.

The scheme gives people at risk of domestic abuse information that may help them make an informed decision about whether to continue a relationship. DSDAS operates across Scotland and is managed by Police Scotland.

For further information about DSDAS, including how to submit an application, visit the Police Scotland website

Who can apply?

A DSDAS request can be made by:

• The person in the relationship
• A family member
• A friend
• A neighbour
• A professional
• Anyone else with concerns about someone’s safety

Police Scotland can only make a disclosure to the person who is at risk. If someone makes an application on another person’s behalf, the disclosure cannot be made directly to them.

How can an application be made?

Applications can be made by:

• Completing the online DSDAS application form
• Calling Police Scotland on 101
• Visiting a local police station

For further information about DSDAS, including how to submit an application, visit the Police Scotland website.

If there is an immediate risk of harm, always contact Police Scotland on 999.

When might DSDAS be relevant?

Professionals may wish to consider DSDAS where:

• A victim-survivor has concerns about a current partner.
• Family members or friends are worried about someone’s safety within a relationship.
• There is information suggesting a pattern of concerning, controlling or abusive behaviour.
• A professional believes someone may be at risk of domestic abuse and could benefit from speaking with Police Scotland about the scheme.
• Someone is seeking information to help them make informed decisions about their safety.

DSDAS should be considered as one potential safeguarding option, alongside wider risk assessment, support and safety planning measures.

When will Police Scotland make a disclosure?

Police Scotland will consider all relevant factors and carefully assess the level of threat before deciding whether a disclosure should be made.

A disclosure may be made where:

• Information exists indicating that a person may be at risk of abuse.
• The person at risk is in a relationship with the person who may pose a risk, or is likely to resume a relationship with them.
• Police Scotland considers that disclosure is the right option.

Police Scotland may also speak to other agencies as part of this process.

DSDAS and MARAC

DSDAS and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) are separate processes with different purposes.

DSDAS is a Police Scotland safeguarding process that enables information to be disclosed where this is necessary to protect someone from domestic abuse.

MARAC is a multi-agency process used to identify, assess and manage the risk of serious harm in high-risk domestic abuse cases.

A MARAC may identify that a DSDAS application could contribute to a victim-survivor’s safety plan. In these circumstances, progressing a DSDAS application may form part of the agreed action plan.

Professionals do not need to wait for a case to be discussed at MARAC before considering DSDAS. Where domestic abuse has been identified, a DSDAS application may be an appropriate safeguarding option as part of the wider safeguarding response.

Where the level of risk also meets the threshold for MARAC, professionals may decide to submit both a MARAC referral and a DSDAS application. Access to DSDAS is not dependent on a MARAC referral.

Further information

For further information or questions about this resource, please contact: [email protected]