Scottish Women's Aid welcomes plan to allow women to check if partners have a history of domestic violence
Scottish Women’s Aid has welcomed a police-backed plan of action which could save women from violent partners.
Police Scotland is launching the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire in November.
It will allow women to check whether their partner has a history of violence.
The scheme is based on the Clare’s Law system, which was set up earlier this year in England and Wales.
Clare’s Law is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in Salford, Greater Manchester, in 2009.
By providing a ‘right to ask’ and a ‘right to know’ we will actively ensure that any concerns can be researched and information provided to those who may be in danger
Lily Greenan, a spokeswoman for Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “We worked with Police Scotland as part of a steering group to develop a scheme which will help protect women from potentially violent perpetrators who they may be in a relationship with.
“Of course, it can not replace reporting domestic abuse to the police, but it should help to reduce the risk of it happening.”
Chief Superintendent Gillian MacDonald, Police Scotland’s local policing commander for Ayrshire, said: “The joint work and innovative approaches we have developed over the years with our partners across Ayrshire will allow us to test the scheme in the best possible environment and add to other tried and tested measures which we use daily to keep people safe from domestic abuse.
"By providing a ‘right to ask’ and a ‘right to know’ we will actively ensure that any concerns can be researched and information provided to those who may be in danger. We will assist potential victims and get them any help they might need, while dealing with any abuse which may come to light and which, otherwise, may have remained unreported.
"This marks the starting point for us to carefully plan our joint approach to ensure we deliver the best possible working model for victims once the scheme goes live in November”.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson, police commander for Aberdeen City, said: "Domestic abuse is a complex area but it is a key priority for us. This pilot scheme will help us move forward and we are delighted to have this initiative in the city.
“We are committed to supporting and encouraging victims in coming forward and the pilot will act as another tool in how we keep people in our city safe."
