'Clare's Law' Rolled Out Across Scotland
Action in Scotland to prevent domestic abuse will take a major step forward with the national roll out of the Disclosure Scheme from today.
Action in Scotland to prevent domestic abuse will take a major step forward with the national roll out of the Disclosure Scheme from today.
National roll out of the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse follows successful pilots in Ayrshire and in Aberdeen.
48 requests were received for background checks in Ayrshire with a further 30 being made in the North East.
Announcing the roll out from next week, Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick, said: “Domestic abuse affects all our communities. Our role is bringing offenders to justice and working with partners to ensure that victims are protected and receive the right support. Up to 25 per cent of police time is spent responding to domestic incidents with nearly 60,000 incidents recorded by Police Scotland officers last year.
“When people form new relationships, there can be concerns that the new partner may have an abusive past. This scheme gives people the opportunity to ask that question.
“During the pilot of the scheme, people who have received disclosures have been extremely positive about their experience. Make no mistake, it is difficult news to hear but it allows them to make an informed choice, to protect themselves and by extension their families and children from harm. In some cases, it can break that cycle of violence. A key element of the disclosure process has been ensuring appropriate support is available to people who may need it.
“We want to stop domestic abuse in all its forms and this scheme takes us closer to that aim. Help is also available for the abuser. They have the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions. If they don’t, we will. We will investigate all reports of domestic abuse and those responsible will face the consequences of their actions. Police Scotland, with its partners, will work to end domestic abuse in all of Scotland’s communities.”
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson, said: “Domestic abuse is an appalling crime and I am delighted that, as a result of the national roll out of the Scheme, people across Scotland who suspect their partner may have a violent past will have the right to ask for information.
“The results of the pilot clearly show that the scheme works well and is a good fit for Scotland’s unique justice system. Put simply – it can save lives and sends a clear message that abusers can no longer hide.
“Tackling domestic abuse requires a range of actions and activity and today’s announcement is another tool in the armoury of our justice agencies. The Scottish Government recently announced £20 million funding to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse, across the country and we are committed to tackling this heinous crime head on. There is absolutely no place for it in Scotland.”
Chief Superintendent Gillian MacDonald, said: “We have well established working relationships with partners in the three local authorities in North, East and South Ayrshire, as well as with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and a range of third sector agencies, including ASSIST advocacy service and Women’s Aid. The joint work and innovative approaches we have developed over the years with our partners across Ayrshire will allow us to continue the scheme in the best possible environment which the public and police can utilise to keep people safe from domestic abuse.
“I am confident that the scheme has provided an early preventative measure which will allow the police and our partners to protect potential victims from abuse.
"During the pilot in Ayrshire we received 36 ‘Right to Ask’ applications and progressed a further 12 through the ‘Power to Tell’ process. Each one is discussed at our multi-agency ‘Decision Making Forum’ with a collective decision made on if, how and by whom the disclosure will be made. Although the scheme is based on making disclosures to individuals to enable them to make an informed choice about a risk that's been identified, keeping people safe is the overriding priority throughout: wherever we identify abuse is taking place we will act robustly over and above the disclosure process."
Dr Marsha Scott, Chief Executive, Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “For the last 40 years, Scottish Women’s Aid has been working to support women and children experiencing domestic abuse, most recently alongside key partners like Police Scotland. As an organisation that supports any effort that increases women’s autonomy and safety, we welcome the roll out of the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse across Scotland and look forward to working with Police Scotland to develop other innovative approaches to making women safer.”
The programme is aslo known as 'Clare's Law' after Clare Wood from Salford who was murdered in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend. She had complained to police about him before her death and he had a violent past.
Her father Michael Brown campaigned to have the legislation introduced.
He spoke to out reporter Natalie Crawford: