Several countries and jurisdictions have introduced schemes inspired by Clare’s Law, although they vary in how much information can be disclosed and who can request it.

United Kingdom

The UK has the most established system:

• England and Wales – Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) has operated nationally since 2014. It includes:
  • Right to Ask – someone can ask police about a current or former partner.
  • Right to Know – police can proactively disclose information if they believe someone is at risk. (GOV.UK)
• Scotland – Has its own Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme based on similar principles.
• Northern Ireland – Operates a similar domestic violence disclosure scheme.

Canada

Several provinces have adopted or proposed Clare’s Law legislation:

• Saskatchewan – First province to implement Clare’s Law legislation.
• Newfoundland and Labrador – Has enacted a version of Clare’s Law.
• Other provinces, including Alberta and Manitoba, have considered or developed similar measures. (Wikipedia)

Australia

• South Australia introduced a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme in 2018, modelled on Clare’s Law. Independent reviews have reported positive outcomes for people using it. (The Guardian)
• Other Australian states have considered similar schemes, though implementation varies.

Countries considering similar laws

A number of countries have debated introducing comparable systems but do not yet have nationwide schemes equivalent to the UK’s, including:

• Ireland (campaigns for a “Jennie’s Law”) (The Irish Sun)
• Some states or territories in countries such as Australia and Canada continue to review or expand disclosure legislation. (Wikipedia)

What information is usually disclosed?

Where a disclosure is made, police typically do not provide a person’s entire criminal record. Instead, they disclose information that is necessary and proportionate to protect someone at risk, which may include:

• Previous convictions for domestic abuse or violent offences.
• Relevant police intelligence about abusive behaviour.
• Breaches of protection orders.
• Patterns of coercive or controlling behaviour where disclosure is justified.

The purpose is not to punish the offender, but to enable a person at risk to make an informed decision about their safety.

Despite growing international interest, the UK remains one of the few countries with a well-established national police disclosure scheme specifically allowing potential partners to request information about a current or former partner’s history of domestic abuse. (GOV.UK)