Clare’s Law to the rescue for at-risk daughter

MURDERED . . . Clare Wood

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AN Oldham mum is one of hundreds of women who have acquired potentially lifesaving information on an abusive partner through “Clare’s Law”.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) allows victims to apply for information about someone with whom they are in a relationship.

Clare’s Law was piloted in Greater Manchester in September 2012, following the tragic case of Clare Wood, who was murdered by her former partner George Appleton in Salford in 2009. Appleton had three previous convictions under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Clare's Law can be used by anyone concerned over a partner’s abusive behaviour, or those concerned about a friend or family member.

The 56 year old applied for information on a 26-year-old man on her 24-year-old daughter’s behalf.

The daughter ended the relationship with her partner and reported him to police for harassment. The mum then became worried her daughter was at risk. She ended the relationship three months later but the daughter began receiving hundreds of text messages and calls she didn’t want.

It emerged that the man has 34 domestic violence-related incidents listed against him between 2002-14, plus 22 previous convictions.

GMP have received 205 applications under the right to ask and 71 applications by people feeling somebody is at risk. Of those, 164 disclosures were made after investigation.