Trait/disorder What is seen in some offenders Antisocial traits / ASPD More common among some sexual offenders, particularly those with broader criminal and aggressive behaviour Narcissistic traits Entitlement, need for admiration, lack of empathy and exploitation can occur, but narcissism alone does not predict child sexual abuse Psychopathic traits Particularly relevant to offenders who are manipulative, callous,… Read More What is seen in some offenders
it’s worth explaining that VioGén is far more than a police database. It is one of the world’s most comprehensive multi-agency risk assessment and victim protection systems, designed to ensure that victims do not “fall through the cracks” as they move through the criminal justice system. How VioGén Works When an incident of gender-based violence is reported—whether… Read More How VioGén Works
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:
Here’s a comparison of the main domestic violence disclosure schemes currently operating internationally. Because each country records data differently, direct comparisons should be interpreted with caution. Country Scheme Latest Available Statistics England & Wales Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) 2023–24: 19,934 Right to Know applications (9,057 disclosures – 45%); 38,678 Right to Ask applications (15,448 disclosures… Read More Understanding Domestic Violence Disclosure Statistics by Country
One of the greatest fears many survivors have is what happens when a restraining order expires. Does the protection end? The answer is not necessarily. In Spain, the expiry of a restraining order does not automatically mean that all protection comes to an end. Where the authorities assess that a victim remains at risk, protective measures… Read More When a Restraining Order Ends: Protection Can Continue
For many survivors of domestic abuse, one question can be deeply unsettling: “What happens when my restraining order ends?” Many fear that the end of a court order means the end of their protection. Fortunately, that is not always the case. Protection Does Not Automatically End In Spain, the expiry of a restraining order does not… Read More What Happens After a Restraining Order Ends in Spain?
For many survivors of domestic abuse, receiving a protection order is not the end of the journey—it is the beginning of living safely again. In Spain, protection does not always stop when a restraining order is granted. In many cases, the Guardia Civil or National Police continue to provide ongoing protection through the VioGén (Sistema de Seguimiento Integral en los… Read More When the Court Order Ends, Protection Doesn’t: Understanding Ongoing Police Protection in Spain
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that justice is not built on rumours, opinions or assumptions. It is built on evidence. Evidence that can be examined. Evidence that can be challenged. Evidence that can be tested in a court of law. In my case, there were two criminal convictions in the Criminal… Read More Facts, Evidence and the Rule of Law
Choosing the right lawyer may be one of the most important decisions you make after leaving an abusive relationship. Not every lawyer has experience dealing with cases involving coercive control, domestic abuse, complex trauma or long-term patterns of psychological harm. While many are excellent family lawyers, your case may require someone who understands far more… Read More Finding the Right Lawyer for Your Abuse Case
In many cases, courts can consider evidence that goes back many years, and they may also consider evidence from other countries, but it depends on the type of case, the relevance of the evidence, and the laws of the country where the proceedings are taking place. How far back can evidence go? There is no universal rule… Read More How far back can evidence go?
