CLARE'S LAW / Domestic Violence disclosure scheme
If you are feeling that 'something's not quite right, but can't put my finger on it', whether you receive details about a previous conviction via Clare's Law or not, please call Coventry Haven Women's Aid for advice and support. 60% of applications dealt with in Coventry for Clare's Law, have returned a result of 'nothing to declare' but that does NOT mean there is nothing to be concerned about; it simply means there is no conviction. Please remember that an incident of abuse may not always result in a conviction.
Please download a ‘One Minute Guide - Clare’s Law’ here.
Full information: Clare’s Law Factsheet
What is this Scheme? See here for full details (WMP Clare’s Law / Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme)
1 The aim of this scheme is to give members of the public a formal mechanism to make enquires about an individual who they are in a relationship with or who is in a relationship with someone they know, and there is a concern that the individual may be abusive towards their partner.
2 Who can ask for a disclosure? A disclosure under this Scheme is the sharing of specific information about an individual with the person making the application or a third person for the purposes of protecting a potential victim from domestic violence and abuse:
anyone can make an application about an individual who is in an intimate relationship with another person and where there is a concern that the individual may harm the other person
any concerned third party, such as a parent, neighbour or friend can make an application not just the potential victim; however,
a third party making an application would not necessarily receive the information about the individual concerned. It may be more appropriate for someone else to receive the information such as the victim or another person who is best placed to protect the potential victim
3 How do I make an application? It is important to remember that anyone can make an application to the police about an individual who is in an intimate relationship with another person and there is a concern that the individual, may present a risk of harm to their partner.
Contacting the police There are many different ways you can contact the police:
Download the application form here
You can, visit a police station
phone 101, the non-emergency number for the police
speak to a member of the police on the street
If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, you should always call 999.
After you are given information: “Can I tell my family and friends about this? I really need to talk to someone.”
If you receive a disclosure, it should be treated as confidential. It is only being given to you so that you can take steps to protect the potential victim. You must not share this information with anyone else unless you have spoken to the police, or the person who gave you the information, and they have agreed with you that it will be shared.
If no disclosure is made but you still have concerns - If you are feeling that 'something's not quite right, but can't put my finger on it' or treading on egg-shells, whether you receive details about a previous conviction via Clare's Law or not, please call Coventry Haven Women's Aid for advice and support. 60% of applications dealt with in Coventry for Clare's Law, have returned a result of 'nothing to declare' but that does NOT mean there is nothing to be concerned about; it simply means there is no conviction. Please remember that an incident of abuse may not always result in a conviction.
Support helplines
Coventry Haven Women's Aid 0800 111 4998 - 7 days a week
General Enquiries
02476 444 077 Mon-Thu - 9am-5pm Fri - 9am-4.30pm
Coventry Haven Women's Aid - 22 Marlborough Road, Coventry CV2 4EP
Various Drop-In sessions around the city - one each day, where no appointment is necessary - please call 08001114998 for details
24/7 Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Amendment (June 2019):
The Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme was implemented in March 2014 following a domestic murder in 2009. The scheme makes provision for an individual in a relationship with a partner who has a history of abuse the ‘right to know’ and the ‘right to ask’ about the history of violence and abuse of that partner.
Due to the increasing number of disclosure requests and MARAC referrals being made within the West Midlands, Clare’s Law will be dealt with outside of the MARAC process where possible. Appropriate requests that fit the criteria for disclosure will be reviewed by a Supervisor within West Midlands Police. Children’s Services, National Probation Service, Community Rehabilitation Company and Mental Health will then also be contacted for any further relevant information which may need to be disclosed; those partners will be asked to respond within five working days. A decision to disclose or not will be actioned by West Midlands Police, who will provide feedback directly to the applicant. Partners who share information as part of this process, in doing so provide their consent that the information may be shared with the applicant.