Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - Clare’s Law

Clare's Law Campaign

West Yorkshire Police is launching a new campaign encouraging anyone with concerns about their current or ex-partner to use their ‘right to ask’ to check whether they have a history of domestic abuse.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, also known as Clare’s Law, has been in place in West Yorkshire since 2014. The number of requests has been increasing over recent years but West Yorkshire Police is keen to ensure that all members of the public are aware of their right to ask whether their partner or ex-partner poses a risk to them.

Applications can be made by males or females over the age of 16-years-old in heterosexual or same-sex relationships. If police checks show that the partner or ex-partner has a record of abusive behaviour or there is other information to indicate the applicant may be at risk, a multi-agency decision will be taken on what information should be shared.

Click here to read our Clare's Law Campaign news release

Scroll down to read more about Clare's Law and how you can apply and use your right to ask.

YouTube Video – Eilish Kagbo, Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

YouTube Video - Detective Superintendent Jon Morgan explains Clare's Law

Clare's Law - your right to ask - how to make a request

Police forces are allowed to disclose information to a potential victim and have a duty to protect members of the public from domestic abuse.

A disclosure under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law) may be generated by a:

• Right to know obligation on the police to disclose; or
• Right to ask application from a member of the public.

The following documents provide more information on how to apply for information under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, and cover the following : -

• What is the scheme?
• Who can ask for disclosure?
• How to make an application
• The next steps

Along with support information and telephone helplines.
 

Clare's Law - In a relationship Request

If you are in a relationship and are worried that your partner may have been abusive in the past (PDF 7mb)

Clare's Law - Third Party Request

Concerned about someone you know who is in a relationship and may be at risk of domestic abuse (PDF 7mb)

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law) Disclosure Requests

The data below shows the number of disclosure requests (both right to know and right to ask) recorded by West Yorkshire Police and the number of disclosures made.

It is the responsibility of a Multi-Agency Decision Making Body as to;

• whether a disclosure should be made;
• what should be disclosed;
• who a disclosure will be made to;
• who should make the disclosure;
• whether the views of the subject should be sought about making the disclosure;
• whether the subject should be informed that a disclosure has been made; and
• whether and what additional safeguarding action should be taken to protect a potential victim.

West Yorkshire Police launched a Clare’s Law campaign on 24th January 2019 to raise awareness of the scheme.  As a result, the force has seen an increase in requests made by the public and also the police considering a right to know disclosure.  The force strives to ensure that all victims or potential victims are effectively safeguarded against perpetrators of domestic abuse.

2019

January – March 2019

April – June 2019

July – September 2019

2018

January – March 2018

April – June 2018

July – Sept 2018

October – December 2018

2017

January – March 2017

April – June 2017

July – September 2017

October – December 2017

2016

January – March 2016

April – June 2016

July – September 2016

October – December 2016