When Someone Has a History of Violence: Disclosure, Accountability and Safety
If an abuser discloses something genuinely disturbing about another family member—especially something suggesting a child or grandchild may be at risk—the safest approach is not to dismiss it, but also not to investigate it yourself. A sensible framework is: Most importantly, don’t make the child responsible for proving anything. The adults around them should create safety and… Read More Take the disclosure seriously enough to act
Beginning a new relationship should be exciting, but it is also important to protect yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. You have every right to ask questions, take things slowly, and make informed decisions about your safety. Many people don’t realise that in some countries there are official schemes that allow you… Read More Starting a New Relationship? Here’s How You Can Check if Your New Partner Has a History of Domestic Abuse
Country Disclosure Scheme Public Statistics Available England & Wales ✅ Clare’s Law (2014) Yes – annual national statistics published. Scotland ✅ Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (2015) Yes – Police Scotland publishes application and disclosure figures. Northern Ireland ✅ Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme (2018) Limited public statistics. Republic of Ireland ❌ No… Read More Within Europe, the position is:
In many countries, there is no public database that lets you search another person’s history, but there are schemes that allow people at risk to ask police for relevant information. For example: You can also: If your concern is about someone you are dating, and you’re worried about your safety, it’s worth paying close attention… Read More Checking them out
In Spain, if an appeal against a criminal conviction is refused, the consequences depend on which court heard the case and which level of appeal has been exhausted. Generally: Can there be further appeals? Sometimes, yes, but only in limited circumstances. Depending on the case, there may be: If all appeals fail Once all available… Read More Domestic violence convictions in Spain
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: Canada Several provinces have adopted or proposed Clare’s Law legislation: Australia Countries considering similar laws A number of countries have debated… Read More Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
Whether someone is legally required to disclose a criminal record to a new romantic partner depends on the country, the nature of the conviction, and the circumstances. In most places, there is no general legal duty to tell a new partner about a criminal record. However, there are important exceptions and practical considerations. For convictions involving domestic abuse,… Read More Domestic abuse, sexual offences, stalking, or serious violence,
If a person does not disclose a criminal record on a visa application when the application requires it, immigration authorities generally view this as a separate issue from the conviction itself. In many countries, failing to disclose a required conviction can be considered: Possible outcomes include: Importantly, having a criminal conviction does not automatically mean a visa… Read More Disclosure of Criminal Records
If someone is required to disclose a criminal record on a visa or entry application and deliberately does not, the consequences can be much more serious than the criminal record itself. Possible consequences include: Whether authorities discover an undisclosed conviction depends on many factors, including: The likelihood of detection varies by country and visa type,… Read More Non Disclosure
Criminal records can have a significant impact on visas and international travel, but it depends on which country you’re travelling to, the nature of the offence, and the type of visa or entry permission required. Here’s a general overview: Countries where criminal records may affect entry Europe and the Schengen Area For many tourists entering the… Read More Criminal Records
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