CLARE’S LAW HITS MILESTONE AND IS NOW HEADING FOR NSW PARLIAMENT DEBATE
After weeks of tireless campaigning, the grassroots movement to introduce Clare’s Law to New South Wales has reached a major milestone. The petition, led by domestic violence survivor and advocate Jo Cooper, has officially surpassed the 20,000-signature threshold required to trigger a parliamentary debate, closing today with 20,978 verified signatures.
Clare’s Law, a domestic violence disclosure scheme, enables individuals to access information about a partner’s history of violence. The model has been praised globally for saving lives and empowering people to make informed relationship decisions. South Australia’s version of the law, introduced in 2022, is now considered “best in class” for its balance of safety, privacy, and prevention.
But as Jo Cooper emphasises, “NSW doesn’t have to adopt the South Australian model like-for-like. We have the opportunity to improve upon this and develop a version that’s fit for our state and community needs. This is an opportunity to fix some issues that continue to fall through the cracks and become leaders in the prevention of domestic violence.”
Cooper is now engaging in early discussions with a broad range of stakeholders, including legal experts, domestic violence services, law enforcement, and policy advisors, to help shape what a tailored NSW model could look like. With the petition moving into the next phase, these conversations will be critical to ensuring any proposal reflects both survivor experience and legal integrity.
In addition, an application for a nationwide Clare’s Law petition has been submitted in the hope of sparking broader reform across Australia.
“We’ve just witnessed something extraordinary from the people of NSW,” says Cooper. “Thousands of everyday citizens, many of them finding this campaign through TikTok, stepped up, shared our message, and stood united in their demand for a safer future. This shows the incredible power of community when digital activism meets real-world purpose.”
The Clare’s Law petition gained momentum in recent weeks through a community-led campaign under the banner The Good Warrior, with supporters across NSW, including local businesses, survivors, families, and advocates, sharing stories, creating videos, and mobilising digital networks to gather signatures.
Cooper is now calling on the Hon. Jodie Harrison MP, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, to take a leadership role in championing this reform.
“This is a moment for action,” says Cooper. “We have an opportunity to build something meaningful—something that could prevent future tragedies. I would welcome the chance to work directly with Minister Harrison to ensure any model developed is practical, trauma-informed, and survivor-led.”
As NSW prepares to debate the proposal in parliament, Jo Cooper will continue consulting experts, listening to community voices, and ensuring the path forward centres on safety, dignity, and justice.
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