Domestic abuse protection goes national

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SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES DISCLOSURE SCHEME TO BE MADE AVAILABLE ACROSS SCOTLAND
SNP MSP for the South of Scotland Aileen McLeod today (Wednesday) welcomed the news that women and men across Scotland who suspect their partner has an abusive background may now have that information disclosed to them. 
Police Scotland’s Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland will be rolled out across the country later this year. Also known as Clare’s Law, the scheme allows people to contact the police and request information on their partner’s background if they suspect them of a history of domestic abuse.
It was trialled for six months in Ayrshire and Aberdeen with a total of 59 applications received and 22 disclosures made. Each case is considered carefully by Police Scotland and other agencies to determine whether disclosure is lawful, necessary and proportionate to protect the individual from their partner.
Aileen said:
“There is no excuse for domestic abuse in Scotland and we need to make sure we are all doing everything we can to protect people in our communities.
“I welcome the news that the Scottish Government will invest £20 million over the next three years to help tackle violence against women. Improving partnerships across communities as well as enforcing Police Scotland’s Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse are vital steps in helping remove this blight from our society.
“The victims of this unacceptable behaviour are predominantly female but males are also targeted; we must make sure that everyone is offered protection and information which reduces the risk of harm. I firmly believe that people who have concerns that their partner may have a history of domestic abuse should be able to find out whether they do or not.
“Whilst I know this disclosure scheme will not eradicate domestic abuse, it helps bring it into the light of day, where our communities and public services can help victims and prosecute perpetrators. Anything that helps reduce violence in our communities, especially against women, is a step in the right direction towards the fairer Scotland we all strive for.”
Notes to Editors:
More information on the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland: http://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/disclosure-scheme-for-domestic-abuse-scotland
There are two ways information can be disclosed: 
Right to Ask – a person makes a direct application to Police Scotland for information about an individual. Any concerned third party, such as a parent, relative, neighbour or friend can also make an application on a person’s behalf. 
Power to Tell – Police Scotland receive indirect information or intelligence about a person thought to be at risk and where, after appropriate checks were made, Police Scotland judged that a disclosure should be made to safeguard that person.
The First Minister recently announced £20 million for a range of measures to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls in Scotland: