Clare’s Law: The Right to Know for a Safer Future
Imagine being in a relationship and having no idea that your partner has a history of abuse. Wouldn’t you want the chance to find out before you were put at risk? That is exactly why Clare’s Law exists – to help people access information that could protect them from harm.
What is Clare’s Law?
Clare Wood entered a relationship unaware of her partner’s history of violence. That history would ultimately put her in danger. If she had access to Clare’s Law, she might have had the chance to protect herself.
Clare’s Law, officially called the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), allows individuals to ask the police if their partner has a history of domestic abuse. It was introduced in the UK after Clare was murdered in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend, George Appleton – a man with a long history of violence against women. Devastated by her death, Clare’s family fought for change, so others would not face the same fate and have access to the information she never did¹.
Clare’s law has two key parts: The Right to Ask and The Right to Know.
- The Right to Ask – This happens when someone contacts their local police to request information. Anyone who feels they might be at risk from a current or former partner can make this request. Friends or family members who are worried about someone can also apply on their behalf.
- The Right to Know – This happens when police decide to share information to keep someone safe. If police believe a person might be in danger, they can share details to help protect them.
Where Does Ontario Stand?
While Saskatchewan and Alberta officially adopted Clare’s Law, Ontario is dragging its feet. Ontario has yet to implement a formal process for people to request this kind of information about their partners. There have been discussions and proposals, but nothing has officially been passed. Right now, the only option is for police to share information on a case-by-case basis if they believe someone is at immediate risk ².
Why Ontario Needs Clare’s Law
Many people who work in support services believe Ontario should adopt Clare’s Law to make sure that everyone can access life-saving information in a clear and consistent way. Right now, many survivors have no idea they can access this life-saving information – because Ontario has no clear process in place ². While privacy concerns have been raised, Saskatchewan and Alberta have shown that it’s possible to protect people’s safety while keeping their personal information confidential.
Until Clare’s Law becomes a reality in Ontario, survivors have to rely on other protective measures like restraining orders, peace bonds, emergency shelters, and legal support to navigate the legal system. However, the more we talk about this issue, the more pressure we put on the decision-makers to take action.
Why This Matters
At Alternatives for Women in Prince Edward County, we’ve seen how easy it is for people to miss the warning signs of an abusive partner, especially when that partner has a hidden history of violence. Clare’s Law is not perfect; it relies on reported incidents, which means many abusers with no official record would still slip through the cracks. However, it is a step in the right direction.
At Alternatives for Women, we believe that knowledge is power. Everyone deserves to be in a safe and healthy relationship, and that starts with having access to the information needed to make informed choices. No one should have to experience abuse or violence.
If you or someone you know is in an unsafe situation, support is available. You are not alone.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about Clare’s Law and its implementation in Canada, the RCMP provides detailed information on how the law operates across different provinces For more details on the protocols and privacy considerations involved, check out the full page from the RCMP here – https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/interpersonal-violence-disclosure-protocol-clares-law-act.
Footnotes:
- Government of Alberta. (2025). Clare’s Law: Disclosure to protect against domestic violence. Alberta.ca. https://www.alberta.ca/clares-law#:~:text=The%20Disclosure%20to%20Protect%20Against,about%20their%20safety%20and%20relationships
- Ontario Bar Association. (2025). Clare’s Law: The need for domestic violence law reform. OBA. https://www.oba.org/clare-s-law-the-need-for-domestic-violence-law-reform/?lang=fr-ca#:~:text=Versions%20of%20Clare’s%20Law%20have%20been%20adopted,lost%20on%20division%20at%20the%20second%20reading
- Government of Saskatchewan. (2025). Clare’s Law: Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (IVDP). Saskatchewan.ca. https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/justice-crime-and-the-law/victims-of-crime-and-abuse/clares-law#:~:text=The%20Interpersonal%20Violence%20Disclosure%20Protocol,about%20their%20safety%20and%20relationship
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (2024, May 9). Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act. https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/interpersonal-violence-disclosure-protocol-clares-law-act
