If you’re about to start a new relationship it might be a good idea to check out your new partners’ past before it’s too late.
Sadly, far too many women are murdered or harmed by partners with a perpetrator past. In many cases, this can also put any children or other family members at risk. There are a number of laws in this country which can provide peace of mind when you are starting out in a new relationship, for both yourself and any children you have responsibility for.
You have the right to know if your partner has an abusive past.
You also have the right to find out if a person who has contact with a child, has a record of child sexual offences
Two important disclosure schemes are freely available to anyone who has concerns. These are Clare’s Law and Sarah’s Law, named after the tragic murder of Clare Wood and eight-year-old Sarah Payne.
Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) is a police policy giving people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.
The scheme is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009. It was formally rolled out in England and Wales in 2014, following the landmark campaign led by Clare’s father Michael Brown.
Under Clare’s Law, you have the right to:
-Make an application to the police requesting 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.
-Request information from the police 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.’ You have a right to ask the police no matter if your enquiry relates to a heterosexual or same-sex relationship, as long as you are aged 16 or older. You also have the right to ask about a partner regardless of your (or your neighbour, friend or family member’s) 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 they believe you may be at risk, they may decide to proactively 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.
What is Sarah’s Law?
Sarah’s Law, or the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme allows parents, carers and guardians to ask the police to tell them if someone has a criminal record for child sexual offences. Sarah Payne was an 8 year old girl abducted and murdered by a convicted paedophile, Roy Whiting, in a high-profile case in July 2000.
Who Can Make a Request?
You don’t have to be the child’s biological parent to make a request. You can apply if you are:
- A parent or legal guardian
- A step-parent or new partner
- A relative, teacher, or concerned friend
As long as your request is genuinely about protecting a child, the police will consider it.
If police checks show the individual has a record for child sexual offences, or other offences that might put the child at risk, the police will consider sharing this information.
The police will only consider telling the person best placed to protect the child. This is usually a parent, carer or guardian. The police will disclose information only if it is lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so in the interests of protecting the child, or children, from harm.
Find out if a person has a record for child sexual offences – GOV.UK
Remember, if you or someone you know feels at risk of any type of domestic abuse we are here to help. Call us in complete confidence on 0151 494 1777. Always call 999 in an emergency.