Domestic Abuse Disclosure Schemes: Problems with Policy, Regulation and Legality

"Not only is this the first book to offer a forensic examination of Clare’s Law, but it is also currently the only text to offer a comparative analysis of the various domestic abuse disclosure schemes emerging internationally."

- Dr. Marian Duggan, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, UK
"Amidst growing attention to domestic abuse, this original and expert study illuminates the Domestic Abuse Disclosure Schemes. The sentiment behind this instrument is laudable, but, as the author expertly demonstrates, confusing policy spirals have been created by the urge to act against perceived risk rather than to analyse options and consequences. Sounder understandings and solutions can be found in this book."

- Professor Emeritus Clive Walker, School of Law, University of Leeds, UK

This book examines Domestic Abuse Disclosure Schemes, in the form of 'Clare's Law' policies, that have spread from England and Wales to an increasing proportion of the common law world: Scotland and Northern Ireland, New Zealand, parts of Australia, some provinces in Canada, and more. These policies are predicated on police forces warning the partners of abusers about domestic violence perpetrated in the past of those abusive partners. This book explores why the evidence that these Schemes actually prevent serious harm is overall patchy, and currently unconvincing. This book makes an argument for the evaluation and reappraisal of a piece of public protection policy which might currently be serving as sticking plaster on the shortcomings of wider public policy aimed at preventing violence against women. This book draws on the emerging body of research on Domestic Abuse Disclosure Schemes, and contributes original insights and analysis of its own.
Jamie Grace is Senior Lecturer in Law and Fellow of the Sheffield Institute for Policy Studies at Sheffield Hallam University, UK, based in the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice. In 2020 Jamie was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London.