A scheme which allows partners of violent men and women to check their history has potentially saved the lives of over 300 people, say Greater Manchester Police.
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme – dubbed Clare’s Law in honour of murdered Salford mum Clare Wood – has been running since September 2012.
It was set up in the wake of the 36-year-old’s brutal killing in 2009.
The mum-of-one was strangled to death and her body set on fire by serial abuser George Appleton, who later hanged himself in a derelict building in Blackfriars.
Unemployed Appleton had a long history of violent abuse against women. He met Clare on a dating website but their short relationship turned sour when he threatened to kill her and sexually assaulted her.
In the months before her murder she had repeatedly contacted police over Appleton’s violence, and even had a panic alarm installed at her home after making an allegation of attempted rape.
After her death her family campaigned, along with former Salford MP Hazel Blears, for police to be able to release records of information about people they are in a relationship with: called ‘right to know’ and ‘right to ask’.
Controlling behaviour, the use of violence, public humiliation and objections to you meeting friends and family are all considered signs that men and women should use the scheme to find out if their partner has a history of violence.
In the three years since the start of the scheme police have disclosed 321 records from 801 applications. Despite a slow start to the process, in the past 12 months applications have spiked by 146 to 422 applications.
Detective Chief Inspector Trish Owen from GMP’s Public Protection Division said: “I am pleased to see that the positive impact that Clare’s Law has had on the community. Hundreds of people have received invaluable information that can help them make informed choices about their relationships.
“We know that more needs to be done to ensure that victims and their friends and family are aware of the steps they can take to protect themselves from the potentially devastating consequences that come as a result of domestic abuse.
“We want to stop future deaths at the hands of abusive partners and we will be do this by providing victims with the power to regain control of their lives, move forward and enjoy a happier future.”
More information on how to apply is online here, or you can also visit your nearest police station. All an applicant will need to do is provide the name, address and date of birth of the victim and police will make initial checks will be done to establish if there are any immediate concerns.
For further support on domestic abuse, visit endthefear.co.uk or call the Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
If there is any immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, dial 999.
