Clare's Law introduced to tackle domestic violence

A scheme to let people find out from police if their partner has a history of domestic violence has been brought in across England and Wales.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - known as Clare's Law - is intended to provide information that could protect someone from being a victim of attack.

The initiative is named after 36-year-old Clare Wood who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

The scheme allows the police to disclose information on request about a partner's previous history of domestic violence or violent acts.

It has been introduced to coincide with International Women's Day, following pilot schemes in four areas - Greater Manchester, Gwent, Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire - since September 2012.

The Home Office said the pilots had provided more than 100 people with potentially life-saving information.

Clare Wood, a mother-of-one, was killed by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton, who unbeknown to her, had a history of violence to women.

Ms Wood was strangled and set on fire at her home in Salford, Greater Manchester, in February 2009 by George Appleton, who had a record of violence against women.

At the inquest into Miss Wood's death, Coroner Jennifer Leeming said women in abusive relationships should have the right to know about the violent past of the men they were with.

Her father, Michael Brown, who campaigned for the introduction of Clare's Law, is convinced she would still be alive had she known the full extent of Appleton's previous behaviour.

He said he was "absolutely delighted" that the scheme had come into force and urged women to make the most of the new scheme.

He said: "It's there to be used. Get it used, ask! If you are in a domestic violence situation or you think you could be seek advice and get out of there, because the ultimate is 120 women a year have lost their lives, mostly at a young age."

If you are worried about domestic violence please contact us - Sally Fitzherbert has experience with Womens Aid and domestic violence.

This article is taken from the BBC website.  To see the original full-length article, click here