Clare’s Law

Clare’s Law, or the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) allows any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them. Under Clare’s Law, a member of the public can also make enquiries into the partner of a close friend or family member.

The scheme is for anyone who wants to find out if someone they are in a relationship with poses a risk to them.

If police checks show the person has a record of abusive offences, or suggest a risk of violence or abuse, the police will consider sharing this information.

If the police decide to share the information it will usually be to the person at risk. This is unless someone else is better placed to use the information to protect the person at risk from abuse (e.g. if the person at risk is a young person or a vulnerable adult).

How do I put in an application

You can do this in person at your local police station.

What happens when an application is put in?

The police will assess if the person named in the application is a risk to their partner based on previous violence or abuse convictions.

If the subject poses a risk of causing harm this information may be given to the person at risk.

Will the subject know they are being checked out, and who asked for they check?

No, they will not be told that they are being checked out unless the police need to give someone information to keep someone safe– a disclosure. If a disclosure does take place the subject may be informed that someone is going to receive a disclosure about them.