27.01.2015
Statistics obtained by the Press Association via a Freedom of Information request found that there have been at least 1,325 disclosures across England and Wales since March 2014, and 3,760 requests for disclosure.
Also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, Clare's Law gives the public the right to ask police for information on a partner they believe might have a violent past.
It is named after Clare Wood, a mother from Salford who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2009. Her killer had a history of harassing and abusing women, including abducting a former girlfriend at knife-point.
Michael Brown, Miss Wood's father, said he is pleased that the law is being used and urged more people who are suffering domestic abuse to come forward.
"This is just the start. This is what it is in just the first year, all these people know about Clare's Law, they're going to tell another five, another dozen, and next year this is going to snowball," he said.
Scheme Has Nearly 4,000 Requests In First Year
Clare's Law, the scheme that allows the police to disclose information about a person's history of abuse, has revealed the pasts of more than 1,300 violent partners since its roll-out nearly a year ago.Statistics obtained by the Press Association via a Freedom of Information request found that there have been at least 1,325 disclosures across England and Wales since March 2014, and 3,760 requests for disclosure.
Also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, Clare's Law gives the public the right to ask police for information on a partner they believe might have a violent past.
It is named after Clare Wood, a mother from Salford who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2009. Her killer had a history of harassing and abusing women, including abducting a former girlfriend at knife-point.
Michael Brown, Miss Wood's father, said he is pleased that the law is being used and urged more people who are suffering domestic abuse to come forward.
"This is just the start. This is what it is in just the first year, all these people know about Clare's Law, they're going to tell another five, another dozen, and next year this is going to snowball," he said.
Expert Opinion
The figures obtained following this FoI request indicate just how important Clare’s Law, or the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, has been for members of the public. Since it was implemented, over 1,300 people have been informed they are in a relationship with a partner who has a violent past. <br/> <br/>“Domestic violence is an extremely serious issue that affects people from all walks of life and it is very positive that this law is being used to ensure victims are not forced to live their lives in fear of physical and mental abuse or controlling behaviour.”
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