DFV information sharing guidelines
The Domestic and family violence information sharing guidelines (the guidelines) are part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to a Queensland free from domestic and family violence (DFV).
The guidelines were developed to support practitioners and others to appropriately share information to keep victim-survivors and their children safe from DFV.
The underlying intent of the information sharing provisions is to enable relevant entities to share information on a confidential basis for the purpose of assessing or responding to a serious DFV threat, in the interest of maximising the victim-survivor’s safety, protection and wellbeing.
Version 1 of the guidelines was developed in 2017 following amendments to the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (DFVP Act).
In response to findings from the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce and Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board, the Queensland Government has reviewed and updated the guidelines. These revised guidelines aim to increase awareness, understanding and consistent use of the information sharing provisions.
The revised guidelines should be considered in the context of the Domestic and family violence common risk and safety framework (CRASF), which guides the delivery of integrated service responses to DFV.
The 3 key guiding principles for sharing information under Part 5A are also outlined in the DFVP Act. To learn more about these guiding principles, please watch the following video.
Part 5A of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 allows for confidential information to be shared in certain situations.
The underlying intent of the information sharing provisions is to maximize the victim- survivor safety, protection, and well-being.
If an entity believes that sharing information would help keep the victim-survivor safe (and information sharing requirements are otherwise met) then it may be appropriate to share the information.
Only information that may help to keep the person safe should be shared. If sharing information would not help to keep the victim-survivor safe it should not be shared.
This underlying intent should form the basis of decision around whether or not information is shared.
The legislation provides protection from liability for sharing information honestly and in good faith.
The legislation includes three underlying principles for sharing information under Part 5A.
Number one, whenever safe, possible, and practical, the victim-survivors informed consent should be obtained before sharing the information.
Number two, the victim-survivors safety, protection, and well-being take precedence over consent.
Number three, consideration must be given to possible adverse effects from sharing the information.
There are other factors that should also inform your decision on whether to share information.
You must use professional judgment.
Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, with the underlying intent of the information sharing provisions in mind.
The expertise of other entities must be respected.
No single entity is responsible for holding all of the risk.
Information is shared to support and inform Integrated Service responses to help keep the victim-survivor and children safe.
Neither the sharing entity, nor the receiving entity, own the information.
Information sharing should not come from a position of whose information it is to share, but what information is available to support risk assessment and safety management.
Children and young people are recognized as victim-survivors in their own right.
Risks to children and young people will be assessed individually and will not be assumed to be the same as their parents.
A culturally aware and intersectional approach is adopted when sharing information.
Information sharing should be done in a way that promotes cultural safety, is culturally sensitive, and considers the person's familial and community connections.
You must have regard for a person's cultural, sexual, and gender identity, and their religious faith.
For more information refer to the DFV information sharing guidelines and practical guidance.
You can find these and other resources on our website.
Training and resources
- A Practical guidance document has been developed consisting of practice tips and frequently asked questions. This document complements the revised guidelines and provides further guidance on the application of the information sharing provisions.
- Developed by the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, the information sharing online training module is designed to be self-paced and accessible at any time. Additional modules are also available and focus on the CRASF.
- Online videos are also available to further your learning about information sharing, including the following topics:
- Flow diagrams to further your understanding of information sharing under Part 5A of the DFVP Act.
Decision tree
The following decision tree will help guide you through the decision-making process for sharing or requesting information under Part 5A of the DFVP Act. This should be considered in conjunction with the guidelines and practical guidance.
Check whether sharing the information aligns with the underlying intent of the information sharing provisions
Do you believe that sharing the information is likely to maximise the safety, protection and wellbeing of the victim-survivor?
Is the information relevant for assessing or responding to the DFV risk?
Is sharing the information likely to increase risk for the victim-survivor?
Can action be taken to mitigate the potential risk?
If possible and appropriate, obtain the victim-survivor’s consent
Is it safe and appropriate to seek the victim-survivor's consent?
Has the victim-survivor provided their consent?
Do you believe that sharing the information is likely to maximise the safety, protection and wellbeing of the victim-survivor?
Can action be taken to mitigate the potential risk?
Determine your entity's classification
Are you employed or engaged by a Queensland Government department that provides services for people who fear, experience or commit DFV?
You are employed by a prescribed entity.
Are you employed or engaged by a non-government entity funded by government to provide DFV services to persons who fear, experience or commit DFV?
You are employed by a specialist DFV service provider.
Are you employed or engaged by a non-government entity that provides services to a wide range of people which may include–but are not specific to–persons who fear, experience or commit DFV?
You are employed by a support service provider.
Determine whether you meet the practitioner's role requirements
Does your role include assessing threats to life, health or safety because of DFV, or taking action to lessen or prevent threats to life, health or safety because of DFV?
Is there someone within your organisation who meets these role requirements?
Liaise with this person in your organisation. It may be appropriate for them to share information under Part 5A.
Determine the purpose for sharing the information
Is the information to be used to assess a DFV risk?
Is the information to be used to respond to a DFV risk?
You may share the information with another prescribed entity or specialist DFV service provider if you reasonably believe a person fears or is experiencing DFV and that giving the information may help the receiver to assess the DFV risk.
You cannot share the information with a support service provider.
You may share the information with another prescribed entity, specialist DFV service provider or support service provider if you reasonably believe a person fears or is experiencing DFV and that giving the information may help the receiver to lessen or prevent the DFV risk.
Do not share the information.
Speak with your supervisor about the appropriate next steps.
You do not meet the requirements to share information under Part 5A.
You may be able to share confidential information under other legislation.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence