A new scheme to let people find out from police if their partner has a history of domestic violence has been brought in across England and Wales and named after a young woman who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2009.
Clare’s Law, or to give it its official name, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, will allow anyone who fears a partner may be abusive to go to the police and ask for past convictions to be revealed.
The scheme was named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her ex-partner, George Appleton, a man with a record of violence against women, who had served time in jail for harassment and breaching a restraining order.
Announcing the scheme on International Women’s Day (March 8), Home Secretary Theresa May said that protection for victims is improving but that there are still too many cases where vulnerable people are let down.
The Government also announced the introduction of domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs), designed to provide protection for women in the initial aftermath of an attack by imposing conditions that can immediately prevent contact. These have already been trialled to some effect in Greater Manchester, West Mercia and Wiltshire.
Crime prevention minister Norman Baker said that nearly £40m had been ring-fenced for local support services and national helplines dealing with domestic violence.
While some organisations have welcomed the scheme, others fear that it could leave women more vulnerable. According to the charity Refuge, two women are killed by a current or former partner every week, but 77 per cent of domestic violence cases are never reported, so if a vulnerable woman seeks information, it is concerned that she may be left with a false sense of security.