Clare’s Law – formally known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme – was created to protect people from dangerous partners by allowing them to request information from the police about someone's history of abuse or violence.

The National Police Chiefs' Council reported that in 2022/23, over one million Violence Against Women & Girls-related crimes were recorded by the police, which is equivalent to about 3,000 offences each day. 

After speaking about Clare's Law on TikTok, many women who've used the scheme told me how it has failed them, and it has become apparent that the service is deeply flawed - and is actively putting women in danger.

🚨 The current issues:

• Outing victims for making a request: Some police and probation officers inform the man that a Clare’s Law request has been made. This can put women in immediate danger – especially if they are still living with or in contact with the man.
• Unsafe disclosures: Several women report police turning up unannounced at their homes – even when the man is present – to deliver Clare’s Law information. This can escalate risk rather than reduce it.
• No option to withdraw: If a disclosure is likely to alert the perpetrator, the woman is supposed to be offered the chance to withdraw her request. In practice, this safeguard is often skipped.
• Inconsistent procedures: Different police forces apply different rules – some require the man's date of birth and address to make a request, others will proceed with just a rough age and location. Some police forces promise confidentiality, others don’t. Protection shouldn't depend on your postcode.
• Delays and lack of urgency: Some women wait weeks – even months – to receive a response. When someone is in danger, this timeline is simply unacceptable.
• Poor awareness: Many women don’t even know Clare’s Law exists, or how to access it. Police forces fail to promote the scheme, meaning many remain unaware until it’s too late.
• Too narrow in scope: Currently, Clare’s Law focuses on violent offences – but women should also be warned about other crimes e.g. financial fraud. These are red flags that can cause serious harm in relationships, and they must be disclosed too.

Clare’s Law was created to save lives – but in its current form, it is failing far too many women.

We demand:

• A national protocol that completely prohibits police from informing perpetrators that a Clare’s Law request has been made.
• A safe disclosure process, where risk is assessed before visiting someone’s home, and police must not disclose information in front of the perpetrator.
• A mandatory offer to withdraw if disclosing information would alert the abuser or endanger the requester.
• Standardised procedures across all UK police forces, including consistent criteria, required information, and delivery methods.
• Faster response times – especially where risk is imminent.
• Wider public awareness of Clare’s Law – through social media campaigns, GP surgeries, schools, and police websites.
• Expanded scope – disclosures must include relevant non-violent crimes. Women deserve the full picture when assessing risk.

This isn’t just a policy issue – it’s a matter of life and death. Clare’s Law should protect women, not endanger them. We demand change.