Notts: ‘Groundbreaking’ new domestic violence law could save lives, say Police

Groundbreaking legislation allowing police to disclose details of a person’s abusive past to a potential partner has safeguarded 66 potentially vulnerable people in Notts in six months.
Clare's Law is named after 36-year-old Clare Wood who was murdered by her abusive partner in 2009Clare's Law is named after 36-year-old Clare Wood who was murdered by her abusive partner in 2009
Clare's Law is named after 36-year-old Clare Wood who was murdered by her abusive partner in 2009

The news has been welcomed by Notts Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping and his deputy, national anti-violence advocate Chris Cutland, who said lives could have already been saved thanks to the new policing powers.

Notts was one of just a small number of police forces to take part in a 12-month pilot of Clare’s Law - the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - which concluded in September 2013.

The scheme was rolled out nationally in March 2014 and it has now emerged that in the first six months of the country-wide take-up, a further 66 people in Notts have received information to protect them from a potentially abusive relationship.

Commenting on the figures, Commissioner Paddy Tipping said: ““Here in Notts. We are constantly looking at ways we can improve our protection of vulnerable people to prevent them from entering a violent relationship.”

“Experience shows us that it is much harder to reach a victim once they’ve committed themselves to an abusive partner; a victim for instance will suffer on average 35 physical assaults before ever seeking help from the police.”

“If we can stop somebody making the wrong decision early on by giving them an informed choice, then we can save people’s lives.”

Clare’s Law is named after 36-year-old Clare Wood who was murdered by her estranged partner in 2009. By the time of her death, she had suffered months of sexual abuse and death threats before being strangled by George Appleton, who had a history of violence against women.

To make a request for information under the Disclosure Scheme, contact Notts Police on 101.