A Decade of the DVDS: Is Clare's Law Working?

  • Corda, A. (Organiser)
  • Marian Duggan (Invited speaker)

Activity: Participating in or organising an event typesParticipation in conference

Description

International Women’s Day (8 March) 2024 marks the ten-year anniversary of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS, aka, Clare’s Law) in England and Wales. Clare’s Law is an information-sharing mechanism designed to provide access to otherwise private information for the purposes of safeguarding and crime prevention. Variations of the scheme have been adopted in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as several states in Australia and Canada. Most recently, aspects of Clare’s Law were updated and placed on a statutory footing under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Clare’s Law operates under a the ‘right to know’ (statutory) and the ‘right to ask’ (public) basis. Applications for information under both routes have increased annually since 2014, even during the pandemic period. One reason for this may be the profile given to Clare’s Law in prime-time entertainment shows, regional and national news media reports on cases of domestic abuse, and the emergence of dedicated social media groups with thousands of affiliated members. But is Clare’s Law actually preventing domestic abuse? This paper explores that question while offering a timely reflection of the strengths and limitations of Clare’s Law over the past decade, and its potential for future reform.
Period10 Apr 2024
Event typeSeminar
LocationBelfast, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of RecognitionLocal