Police forces in England and Wales will have 28 days to release information requested through the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) if new home office guidance is adopted. The current guideline is 35 days.
Better known as Clare’s Law, the scheme allows people to discover their partner’s criminal history and therefore if their partner poses a risk to them.
The home office contends the proposed change will mean victims and potential victims should have information critical to their safety faster.
Interested parties have until 2 July to comment on the disclosure and other proposed changes to the DVDS. The government’s intention is to subsequently set them in statute via the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to ensure consistent implementation by the police.
