Clare's Law: More women in the South being told about partner's violent past

More women in the South are being told about a partner's violent history through Clare's Law.

In 12 month period from March 2023, hundreds of disclosures were made of a person's abusive history under the 'Right to Ask' and 'Right to Know' scheme.

Statistics across the South - the number of people told their partner has a history of violence in the space of a year

• 238 people across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight policing area
• 330 across the Dorset policing area
• 476 people across the Sussex policing area

Under Clare's Law you have a "Right to Ask" if your partner has an abusive past, and you also have a "Right to Know" if authorities like the Police have information that you could be at risk as a result of entering the relationship.

It comes as fewer domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes were recorded during the 12 month period to March this year.

Speaking earlier this year, the Chief Constable of Sussex Police, Jo Shiner, said an increase in requests was ‘good news’ as it showed more people were aware of the scheme and engaging with it. 

She added:

"If in doubt, please ask, because by doing that you might prevent serious injury or even worse. 

"The system works, you will get a response, you will be listened to and we will make sure we deal with it properly and effectively".

Clare's Law data for 2024

Data from the Office for National Statistics show an increase in both "Right to Ask" and "Right to Know" disclosures in the last 12 months to March

• 9,057 disclosures we made under Right to Know, up from 7,609 the previous year
• 15,448 disclosures were made under Right to Ask, up from 9829 in 2023.

This marks a 40.5% increase in disclosures overall - a huge increase in the number of people being warned about their partner's violent or abusive past.

Listen: Clare's Law Podcast

Since Clare's Law was set up 10 years ago, countless lives have been saved.

In our Clare's Law podcast on Rayo, we find out how the death of Clare Wood led to a change in the law and meet people who've escaped abusive relationships, campaigned against domestic violence, and used Clare's Law to help save lives.

What is 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 {{StationName}} 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.

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.

How can I apply to Clare's Law?

Under Clare's Law you can:

• apply for information about your current or ex-partner because you're worried they may have a history of abuse and are a risk to you
• request information about the current or ex-partner of a friend or relative because you're worried they might be at risk

You can make an application through your local police force.

If someone is in immediate danger, contact 999.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

• isle of wight
• west sussex