CLARE’S LAW
Your Right to Ask.
Your Right to Know.
Worried about a current or former partner’s history? Clare’s Law allows you to ask the police for information that could help you understand whether someone may pose a risk of domestic abuse.
What is Clare’s Law?
Clare’s Law, officially known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), gives people the right to ask the police about a current or former partner’s history of domestic abuse or violence.
You can make a request about your own partner, or you may be able to make a request if you are worried about someone you know.
The police will consider the information they hold and decide whether there is information that should be disclosed to help protect someone from harm.
Your Right to Ask
You can ask the police to check whether a current or former partner has a history of abusive, violent or controlling behaviour.
You can also make a request if you are concerned about someone you know, although any information disclosed will usually be given to the person considered to be at risk.
Your Right to Know
The police can sometimes provide information without being asked if they believe someone may be at risk of domestic abuse.
This is known as the Right to Know. The police will consider whether sharing the information is necessary and proportionate to help protect the person at risk.
How to Make a Clare’s Law Request
1.
Contact the Police
You can make a Clare’s Law request by contacting the police. Requests can be made online, by telephone, by email or in person.
You can make a request about your own current or former partner, or because you are concerned about someone you know.
Making a Clare’s Law request is free. You can contact the police if you are worried about your own current or former partner, or if you are concerned about someone you know.
Police Carry Out Checks
The police will carry out checks using relevant police records and information to assess whether there may be a risk of harm.
They may contact you for further information and may ask you to confirm your identity as part of the process.
2.
3.
A Disclosure Decision Is Made
The police will assess the information they have and decide whether a disclosure is necessary to help protect the person at risk.
If information is disclosed, it should provide enough information to help the person make informed decisions about their safety. The police should also provide appropriate safety planning and support.
What Information Might Be Disclosed?
What could be disclosed?
If the police identify information showing that someone may be at risk of domestic abuse, they will decide whether it is necessary and proportionate to share that information.
A disclosure may include relevant information about a person’s previous abusive, violent or controlling behaviour.
Important: Clare’s Law does not give someone access to a partner’s full criminal record. The police will only disclose information they consider necessary to help protect the person at risk.
Good to know
If the police do not make a disclosure, this does not necessarily mean that there is no risk. It may mean that there is no relevant information held by the police that can be disclosed.
If someone's behaviour makes you feel frightened, controlled or unsafe, you can still seek support regardless of whether a Clare's Law disclosure is made.
Ready to Make a Clare’s Law Request?
You do not need to be certain that abuse has taken place before asking for information. If you are worried about a current or former partner, you can contact the police and ask about Clare’s Law.
There is no charge for making a request.
Free Help & Support
You don’t have to wait until you’re ready to leave to ask for help.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Free, confidential support for women experiencing domestic abuse in England. The helpline is run by Refuge and is available 24 hours a day.
Call: 0808 2000 247
Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid provides information and support for women experiencing domestic abuse, including information about recognising abuse, leaving safely, housing and accessing local services.
They also offer an online directory of local domestic abuse services.
Need Help Right Now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you cannot speak on a mobile call, press 55 when prompted to be transferred to the police. Pressing 55 does not automatically allow police to locate you, so follow the call handler's instructions where possible.
Emergency: 999
Your safety comes first
If you think someone may be monitoring your phone, computer or browsing history, consider using a safer device to look for support where possible.
Be careful when deleting browsing history, as a sudden change may sometimes be noticed by someone who monitors your device.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.