Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare's Law)

Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, gives people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.

Under Clare's Law, you have the right to ask the police for information:

• about your current or ex-partner, because you are worried they may have been abusive in the past and believe they may pose a risk to you in future
• about the current or ex-partner of a close friend, neighbour or family member, because you are concerned that they might be at risk of domestic abuse in future

This is called the 'right to ask'. If does not matter whether the relationship is a heterosexual or same-sex one, as long as you are aged 16 or older. You also have the right to ask about a partner regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, race, religion or other characteristics.

You also have the 'right to know'. This means that if police checks show that your current or ex-partner has a record of violent or abusive behaviour, and the police believe you may be at risk, they may decide to share that information with you. If you're worried that your current or former partner has been abusive or violent in the past, Clare's Law was created to formally give you the right to find out.