Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS)

A scheme that gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them. It is often referred to as Clare’s Law in memory of Clare Wood who was brutally murdered in 2009 by her former partner George Appleton, who had a record of violence against women.

Under Clare’s Law, a member of the public can also make enquiries into the partner of a close friend or family member. This allows the police to disclose information about someone’s previous history of domestic abuse or violent acts.

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