Clare’s Law – The Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme

Empowering Individuals to Make Informed Decisions About Their Safety

The States of Jersey Police are pleased to announce the launch of their awareness campaign for Clare’s Law.

The Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme, also known as Clare’s Law, enables the police to disclose information to a victim or potential victim of domestic abuse about their partner’s previous abusive or violent behaviour. The scheme has 2 elements: “a right to know” (police proactively disclose information to protect a victim from harm from their partner) and “a right to ask” (a request made by any member of the public for information about whether a person has a history of domestic abuse or violent offending) The” right to ask” is the focus of the campaign.

You can make a disclosure application if you:

• Think you might be at risk of domestic abuse from a current or ex-partner
• Are worried about someone you know and think they may be at risk of domestic abuse
• Are a professional and you have information that suggests an individual might be at risk of domestic abuse

In an effort to engage hard to reach groups, the campaign was produced in consultation with key stakeholders in Jersey such as Liberate, Freeda, Citizens Advice, Caritas, Salvation Army, Jersey Employment Trust and Jersey Sport as well as leaders from community groups and victims of domestic abuse.

The campaign video highlights that Clare’s Law can save lives. Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey said “Police often hold multiple reports of abuse from different victims of the same perpetrator. Serial abusers don’t stop and Clare’s Law can reveal and disrupt these perpetrators. Detective Chief Inspector Craig Jackson added: “We are making more and more disclosures every year but we would encourage everyone to make better use of Clare’s Law to prevent domestic abuse.”

Just last week, we witnessed the power of Clare’s Law in action when Gavin Roberts was sentenced to 15 years in prison following charges of domestic abuse and sexual assault. The victim, Suzie Mahe, having utilised the Clare’s Law scheme, courageously used her voice to demonstrate to others that they too can come forward and be heard.

Domestic Abuse accounts for 15% of all crime in Jersey.

For more information about Clare’s Law and how to make a disclosure request please visit Clare’s Law

Named after Clare Wood, who tragically lost her life in 2009 at the hands of her ex-boyfriend with a history of abuse.

The campaign comes as a recommendation in the VAWG taskforce report in November 2023, that efforts are made to increase public awareness of the Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme and professional awareness of the pathway to requesting a public interest disclosure.

Clare’s Law Disclosures provided:

2022 – 24

2023 – 25

2024 – 39 to 31 October