Anaya Nolan
Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. The scheme enables individuals or third parties (e.g. family members) to request information from the police about a current or ex-partner's history of violence or abuse. This law was established after the tragic murder of Clare Wood by her former partner, who had a history of violence against women. Anyone can apply for Clare's Law if they are concerned about their own partner or a friend's partner and feel there may be a risk of harm. Applications can be made online, over the phone, or by visiting a police station.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Anyone can apply, not just the potential victim. This includes a third party such as a parent, neighbour or friend. |
| Who can be the subject of the application | An individual who is or was in an intimate relationship with another person, where there is a concern that the individual may harm or has harmed their partner. |
| Who receives the information | Information may not always be given to the third party that makes the initial disclosure request. It may be more appropriate for the potential victim or someone else who is best placed to protect the potential victim to receive the information. |
| How to apply | Online, over the phone or by visiting a police station. |
| What information is required | Personal information including name, date of birth, address and contact number. |
| What happens after the application | The police will arrange a face-to-face meeting to gather further information about the nature of the relationship and ensure the application is genuine. They will then run checks and speak to other agencies to determine whether to disclose information. |
| Timeframe | The maximum time for the whole process, including checks and disclosure, is 28 days. |
| What happens if there is an immediate risk | If there is an immediate risk of harm, call 999. |
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What You'll Learn
- Anyone can apply on behalf of someone in an intimate relationship
- Applications can be made online, over the phone, or at a police station
- The police will only disclose information to those best placed to protect the victim
- The scheme applies to current and ex-partners
- Information disclosed must be treated as confidential
Anyone can apply on behalf of someone in an intimate relationship
Anyone can apply for Clare's Law on behalf of someone in an intimate relationship. This includes a parent, neighbour, or friend of the person in the relationship. The scheme is designed to help protect potential victims of domestic abuse by providing information about an individual's history of violence or abuse.
Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. It is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered in 2009 by her ex-partner who had a history of violence against women.
Under the scheme, anyone can make an application to the police if they are concerned that an individual in an intimate relationship may harm or has harmed their partner. The application can be made online, over the phone, or by visiting a police station. The police will then carry out checks and speak to other agencies to gather information. If there is a record of abusive offences or a risk of harm is identified, the police will consider sharing this information with the potential victim or another person who is best placed to protect them.
It's important to note that a third party making an application may not necessarily receive the information directly. The police will disclose the information to the person at risk or someone who is in a better position to safeguard them. The disclosure will only be made if it is lawful, necessary, and proportionate to protect the potential victim.
The process of making an application under Clare's Law is straightforward. The applicant will need to provide personal information, including their name, date of birth, address, and contact number. The police will also ask about the safest way to contact the applicant to maintain confidentiality. After the initial application, the police will arrange a face-to-face meeting to gather more information about the nature of the relationship and ensure that the application is genuine.
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Applications can be made online, over the phone, or at a police station
Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. It is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered in 2009 by her ex-partner, who had a history of violence against women. The scheme enables the police to disclose information about an individual's history of domestic abuse offences and convictions to a victim or potential victim, or to a third party, for the purpose of protecting the potential victim.
Anyone can apply for Clare's Law, whether it is for themselves or on behalf of someone else. Applications can be made online, over the phone, or at a police station. The online application form is the most commonly used method and is available on the websites of each police force. The form requires applicants to disclose personal information, including their name, date of birth, address, and contact number. The police will also ask about the safest way to contact the applicant, as they understand that most people would like to keep their application confidential.
Once the initial application is submitted, the police will conduct initial checks and then contact the applicant to arrange a face-to-face meeting. This meeting serves to gather additional information about the nature of the relationship in question and ensure that the application is genuine and not malicious. The police may also speak to other agencies, such as the Prison Service, the Probation Service, and Social Services, based on the information provided by the applicant.
It is important to note that a disclosure under Clare's Law is confidential, and the information disclosed should not be shared with anyone else. Additionally, the police are obligated to act immediately if they believe the potential victim is at risk and requires protection from harm.
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The police will only disclose information to those best placed to protect the victim
Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. The scheme enables individuals or third parties (such as family members) to request information about a current or ex-partner's history of violence or abuse.
The law is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered in 2009 by her ex-partner, who had a history of violence against women. During the murder investigation, Clare's family learned about her partner's criminal history, which included violence, threats, harassment, and kidnapping of a previous partner.
Clare's Law allows individuals to make informed decisions about their relationships and seek help and support if needed. It provides a framework for the police to disclose information consistently and confidently, ensuring the protection of potential victims.
When an application is made, the police will conduct checks and speak to other agencies, such as the Prison Service, Probation Service, and Social Services. If there is a record of abusive offences or a risk of harm is identified, the police will consider sharing this information. However, the disclosure of information will depend on various factors.
The process typically takes up to 28 days, and the police will act immediately if they believe the potential victim is at immediate risk. Information disclosed under Clare's Law should be treated as confidential to protect the privacy and safety of those involved.
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The scheme applies to current and ex-partners
Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. The scheme enables the police to disclose information about any previous history of violence or abuse a person might have to a victim or potential victim of domestic abuse.
A disclosure under this scheme is the sharing of specific information about an individual with the person making the application or a third person for the purposes of protecting a potential victim from domestic abuse. Information may not always be given to the third party that makes the initial disclosure request; instead, it may be more suitable to release the information to the victim or someone who is in a better position to safeguard the subject.
If you would like to make a request under Clare's Law, you can do so by calling 101, the non-emergency number for the police, or by visiting your local police station. You can also make a request via an online reporting form. Once an application has been made, the police will carry out a range of checks along with other partner agencies, including the Prison Service, the Probation Service, and Social Services. If a record of abusive offences is found, or if there is a risk of abuse or violence, the police will consider sharing this information. If a disclosure is made, it will always be done in person to the person at risk.
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Information disclosed must be treated as confidential
Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. The scheme enables individuals or third parties (such as family members or friends) to request information about a current or ex-partner's history of violence or abuse. This information is intended to protect potential victims from harm.
When an application is made under Clare's Law, the police will conduct checks and speak to other agencies to gather relevant information. If there is a record of abusive offences or a risk of abuse or violence is identified, the police will consider disclosing this information. Any disclosure of information must be treated as confidential by the recipient. This means that the information should not be shared with anyone else without the consent of the data controller, typically the police. If there is a concern that the recipient may discuss the information with others, the police have the authority to prevent this.
The importance of confidentiality in Clare's Law disclosures stems from the sensitive nature of the information involved. Disclosures may include details of an individual's previous convictions, charges, or violent behaviour, which could impact their privacy and reputation. By treating the information as confidential, the recipient respects the privacy of the individual concerned and helps to ensure that the information is used solely for the purpose of protecting potential victims from domestic abuse.
Additionally, maintaining confidentiality aligns with data protection regulations, such as the Data Protection Act 2018, which aims to protect personal data and prevent its unauthorised disclosure. Offences under this Act can occur if personal data is knowingly or recklessly obtained or disclosed without the consent of the data controller. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals who receive information under Clare's Law respect the confidentiality of the disclosed details.
While confidentiality is essential, there may be exceptional circumstances where the recipient can take specific actions based on the disclosed information. For example, if the information indicates a potential risk of harm to children, the recipient is entitled to take necessary precautions, such as keeping children away from the individual of concern, to ensure their safety. However, even in such cases, the specific details of the disclosure should remain confidential and only be shared with authorised individuals or entities, such as child protective services or other relevant authorities.
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Frequently asked questions
Anyone can apply for Clare's Law about an individual who is or was in an intimate relationship with another person, where there is a concern that the individual may harm or has harmed their partner.
A Clare's Law application can be made by the potential victim or a concerned third party such as a parent, neighbour, or friend.
The most commonly used method is to complete the online application form. Forms are available on the websites of each police force.
After the initial application is submitted, the police will complete their initial checks before contacting the applicant to arrange a face-to-face meeting. The aim of this meeting is to gather further information about the nature of the relationship and ensure that the application is genuine.
