UNDERSTANDING CLARE’S LAW

What is Clare’s Law?

In 2009, a woman from the United Kingdom named Clare Wood was killed by her intimate partner, who had a history of being a perpetrator of domestic violence.

Following her death, Clare’s family advocated for the introduction of a policy whereby members of the public may request information on someone’s domestic violence history.

With the support of Clare’s family, national and local governments, UK’s police forces and non-profit organizations, Clare’s Law was implemented in 2012. The policy introduced the right to ask, and right to know about someone’s history of domestic abuse.

The legislation inspired by Clare’s Law entitled Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence (Clare’s Law) Act, was introduced by Minister of Community and Social Services Rajan Sawhney in the Legislature in October 2019.

How does it work?

Government will introduce a tool that allows potential victims or police concerned about an Albertans well-being, the ability to learn about the intimate partner’s history of violent or abusive behaviour. This tool will provide the ‘right to ask’ and the ‘right to know’.

The ‘right to ask’ means an individual can use this tool to find out if an intimate partner has a violent or abusive past. The ‘right to know’ provides new powers to police so they can proactively approach an individual who may be at risk of domestic violence.

I Personally believe that this law should be implemented in the United States not just the UK we definitely need something like this... So many people lose their lives at the hands of their partner. Domestic violence is a HUGE ISSUE in our state and country . Having Access to this info could save you, or a loved ones lives