Updating the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme guidance

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), often referred to as “Clare’s Law”, was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. It means members of the public can ask the police for information on their partner’s criminal history and therefore know if their partner poses a risk to them.

Under the new guidance, the police will be required to disclose information on perpetrators quicker. Police will have 28 days to disclose the information, down from the current guidelines of 35. This will mean victims and potential victims should have the information that could be critical to their safety faster.

Minister for Safeguarding Rachel Maclean said:

We have to make sure victims and potential victims of domestic abuse have all the protection and information they need to stay safe.

We must also empower police forces to use their own initiative in situations where they feel someone is in danger, to get information out to victims faster that could be critical for their safety, and to better protect the most vulnerable in society.

The updated guidance also sets out best practice for managing applications that are received online, including setting out that links to specialist domestic abuse services must be provided, and safety measures such as quick escapes must be in place on online portals to help protect applicants.

The DVDS is comprised of two elements: the “Right to Ask” and the “Right to Know”. Under the ‘Right to Ask’ aspect of the scheme an individual or relevant third party, for example a family member, can ask the police to check whether a current or ex-partner has a violent or abusive past. The “Right to Know” element enables the police to make a disclosure on their own initiative if they receive information about the violent or abusive behaviour of a person that may impact on the safety of that person’s current or ex-partner.

We are consulting on key changes being introduced into the guidance to ensure that the scheme is being implemented as efficiently and effectively as possible across all forces in order to provide better support and faster protection for victims, ahead of placing the guidance in statute as set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This will help ensure a uniform and consistent implementation of the scheme by the police.

The guidance is primarily aimed at police and criminal justice agencies in England and Wales involved in the investigation of criminal behaviour. However, information contained in this guidance is also relevant to organisations and agencies working with victims (including children) or perpetrators of domestic abuse. Some of these organisations may have statutory duties to safeguard victims of domestic abuse. The guidance extends to England and to Wales insofar as it relates to reserved or non-devolved matters in Wales.

The consultation is aimed at:

• criminal justice services, including courts, prisons, police forces, police and crime commissioners
• English and Welsh local authorities
• services for forms of violence against women and girls including any specialist domestic abuse services (this will include services serving men and boys)
• local housing and homelessness teams, registered social landlords
• early years, childcare, schools, colleges and higher education settings
• healthcare sector
• clinical Commissioning Groups (from 2022, Integrated Care Systems)
• adult social care and children’s social care providers
• employers and jobcentres
• HM Prison and Probation services
• HM Courts and Tribunals Service
• community and faith groups
• any other interested stakeholders, including victims and users of support and prevention services

You can view or download the consultation in British Sign Language below. If you want to enquire about submitting a British Sign Language video consultation response, email: DVDS-consultation@homeoffice.gov.uk