Podcast: Clare's Law - 10 years on and saving thousands of lives
Our exclusive podcast series marks 10 years since our landmark campaign - which led to the introduction of Clare's Law
Last updated 4th Feb 2025
Ten years ago, on International Women's Day, Clare's law was introduced, a special scheme giving people the chance to find out if their partner had an abusive past.
It followed the death of Clare Wood, who was murdered at the age of 36 by a partner who had a history of violence.
A campaign to introduce what is now known as "The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme" was started by Clare's family, alongside our Senior News Editor Michelle Livesey.
A decade on, Michelle's research has found more than 75,000 people have now been informed that their partner has a history of violence or abuse.
We've created a new podcast series that explores Clare's Law's remarkable impact, and how a local campaign saved lives, nationally.
You can hear the first episode of Clares Law: The murder that saved thousands of women here:
Who inspired Clare's Law?
The scheme was set up in memory of 36-year-old Clare Wood, who was brutally murdered by ex-boyfriend George Appleton in Salford in 2009.
It later emerged George had an extensive criminal past - something Clare didn't know about.
After her death Clare's dad Michael Brown, Salford MP Hazel Blears and Bauer Media journalist Michelle Livesey led a campaign calling for a change in the law.
In 2014 - they succeeded with the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme being introduced.in March.
Twenty Clare's Law disclosures every day
It's been a decade since Clare's Law was introduced and in that time it's allowed thousands of people to find out about their partner's past criminal convictions.
In that time more than 75,000 people have had information disclosed to them about their partner's past, that's around twenty every day.
What is Clare's Law?
For the first time, Clare's Law allowed people to seek answers about their partners' previous criminal convictions, something that could prevent them from becoming victims of domestic abuse.
Since then, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme has been rolled out UK-wide, with similar initiatives introduced in places as far away as Canada and Australia.
Clare's legacy has seen millions of people given access to empowering and potentially life-saving information worldwide.
Clare's law: The murder that saved thousands of women
In our new podcast, we're taking a look at the incredible impact of this landmark legislation, hearing from political leaders, academics and victims themselves.
This podcast series tells the story of Clare Wood. It features some of the people who were closest to her, as well as those who campaigned to change the law in her name.
Michelle Livesey, the original journalist who helped push for the law change, hosts our special investigation.
Listen to the full podcast here - Clare's Law: The murder that saved thousands of women.
Episode 1: My world collapsed
After a string of unsuccesful relationships, single mum Clare meets a new man on Facebook. It would later emerge her new partner, George Appleton, is hiding a deadly secret:
Episode 2: The right to know
Clare Wood was murdered by her ex-partner, a man who had a violent past and who police knew as a dangerous man, so why wasn't she told when she was with him?
Clare's Dad Michael asked the same thing at the inquest of her daughter's death, starting a campaign that would eventually save hundreds of women. In Episode two we speak to Michael and Clare's daughter Maddy to follow the story of the inquest and the questions being raised.
Episode 3: 'Walk in my shoes'
Clare Wood's dad Michael goes to Westminster with our journalist Michelle Livesey who joined with him to find out why women weren’t being told about their partner’s violent past.
In this episode, they take the campaign to the public and to Parliament to get political backing for a change in the law.
Episode 4: Enough is enough
Clare's dad Michael goes to Downing Street with journalist Michele Livesey to urge politicians to take up Clare's Law. In this episode we hear from Michael and former MP Hazel Blears as the petition turns into a campaign, which turns into a pilot scheme and then eventually into law.
Episode 5: Still an epidemic
Everyone's worked so hard to get Clare's Law in place, but is the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme working to protect abuse victims in real life - and can it be improved?
Episode 6: It saved my life
Rebecca Anderson reported her ex to the police after being subjected to a sexual assault, but she only found the courage to report him after hearing about his past through a Clare's Law disclosure.
She speaks to Michelle Livesey, who campaigned for Clare's Law, about what happened and how the law kept her safe
Clare's Law is presented by Michelle Livesey. The series producer is Matt Soanes. Additional interviews were recorded by Georgie Prodromou and Liam Ross.