NOT one man has made an approach or application made on their behalf to Staffordshire Police under The Domestic Violence Disclosure also known as Clare’s Law.
This follows after a Freedom of Information request to Staffordshire Police by domestic abuse survivor and honorary patron of the ManKind Initiative charity, Ian McNicholl.
The charity aims to support male victims of domestic abuse and has revealed that since the introduction of the scheme not one male has requested disclosure.
The scheme provides anyone with the opportunity to make an enquiry about their partner if they are worried they have been abusive in the past.
If police checks show that their partner has a past record of abusive behaviour, they will consider sharing this information.
The home office reports that only 10 per cent of male victims will tell the police in comparison to 27 per cent of women.
The charity has also politely requested that the police and crime commissioner of Staffordshire Police ensure that the scheme is referred to as The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme and not Clare’s Law.
Ian McNicholl said: “Had this legislation been available to me, why would I have taken advantage of Clare’s Law? Why would I even think that Clare’s Law applied to me?”
“The commonly used shorthand title for this legislation is not gender inclusive and it is now absolutely clear that the terminology used is creating barriers.”
Mark Brooks, chairman of the ManKind initiative added: “It is clear the domestic violence disclosure scheme is not being used widely enough and taken advantage of by men. This is because not enough men or professionals think this legislation applies to men”
“In the future we hope that in promoting this piece of invaluable legislation, it will encourage more men to use it, and of course women too.”
Read more at http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/no-men-have-approached-staffordshire-police-to-use-clare-s-law-in-relation-to-domestic-violence/story-30458761-detail/story.html#jSLBqYe4mRZ4I1e6.99