Claire’s Law – domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme in Warwickshire

This Sunday (25 November) marks White Ribbon Day – the internationally recognised day when people are asked to wear a white ribbon to signal their opposition to any form of domestic abuse.

Clare’s Law – Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Warwickshire

Warwickshire Police is using White Ribbon Day to raise awareness of The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), or ‘Clare’s Law’ as it is known. The scheme is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2009. He had a history of domestic abuse, however Clare was unaware of it.

The scheme gives people a formal way to apply for a police check into the past of a person where there is a concern that a relationship may be, or may become abusive.

This is available to anyone in a relationship or people who have concerns for another individual who is in a relationship.

Launched in Warwickshire back in 2015, 190 people in Warwickshire have used their ‘Right to Ask’ the police whether a new or existing partner (either their own or a friend or relative’s) may have a violent past, with 69 disclosures being made.

How do you make an application for disclosure and what happens next?

For further information about the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, or to make a request for information under it, please contact Warwickshire Police by either visiting your nearest police station or calling 101. You can also find more information on our website here:  https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/clareslaw