Clare’s Law - Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

Police forces are allowed to disclose information to a potential victim and have a duty to protect members of the public from domestic abuse under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - also known as "Clare’s Law".

Clare's Law Campaign

The West Yorkshire Police Clare's Law campaign was launched to encourage 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

Worried your partner may have an abusive past? Get in touch

Contact the Police on 101

If we can find information that would protect you, we will tell you

If you suspect your partner may have a history of domestic abuse, ask us

Contact the Police on 101

Their past doesn't have to ruin your future

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, read further information about In a Relationship Requests here

Clare's Law - Third Party Request

Concerned about someone you know who is in a relationship and may be at risk of domestic abuse? Read further information about Third Party Requests here

Clare's Law - Online Application

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law) online application form

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.

2022

Month	Right to Ask Requests	Right to Ask Disclosures	Right to Know Requests	Right to Know Disclosures
January	99	46	64	29
February	104	50	96	52
March	89	46	110	52
April	121	55	94	35
May	131	51	115	51
June	109	49	101	47
July	114	53	116	50
August	124	50	133	52
September	115	50	95	32
October
November
December
Yearly Total	1006	450	927	400

2021

Month	Right to Ask Requests	Right to Ask Disclosures	Right to Know Requests	Right to Know Disclosures
January	88	42	63	36
February	66	31	65	41
March	67	33	85	48
April	92	41	78	44
May	91	45	71	37
June	83	43	65	33
July	85	42	94	45
August	96	41	76	38
September	116	50	87	31
October	119	52	99	51
November	102	56	103	37
December	82	40	95	48
Yearly Total	1087	516	981	489

2020

Month	Right to Ask Requests	Right to Ask Disclosures	Right to Know Requests	Right to Know Disclosures
January	61	28	57	32
February	41	13	50	28
March	51	24	48	29
April	42	19	74	43
May	59	21	65	33
June	72	30	71	34
July	60	26	72	36
August	54	26	65	29
September	55	22	74	39
October	54	22	52	31
November	53	21	72	41
December	58	31	52	24
Yearly Total	660	283	752	399

Page last reviewed January 2023