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Criminologist Dr Kat Hadjimatheou recently met MP Jess Phillips to discuss how research can support the Government’s commitment to halving violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade.

The Government is currently drafting a new VAWG strategy, which comes in the wake of a National Audit Office report earlier this year which criticised previous governments’ efforts to tackle VAWG.

One of the problems it identified was a failure to gather and act on evidence of what works.

Dr Hadjimatheou was invited to share insights and findings on the effectiveness of ‘Clare’s Law’ - the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) which provides people at risk of domestic abuse with information about the criminal histories of their partner.

During the meeting with Jess Phillips, who is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, and her team, Dr Hadjimatheou presented a policy brief marking the 10th anniversary of Clare’s Law, and discussed how the scheme can be improved to better protect women and girls.

Dr Hadjimatheou’s British Academy-funded research is the only systematic, large-scale study on how Clare’s Law is working for victims and survivors.

Her research, which spans the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and involved consulting over 600 victims and survivors, shows that police sharing information from these records can empower victims and survivors of domestic abuse to make more informed decisions about their safety and their relationship.

Enabling police to disclose all records they have about a person, including reports and incidents that do not result in a conviction, means abusers can no longer hide behind a “clean” criminal record.

“The government’s new strategy relating to violence against women and girls is at a key stage, so it was brilliant to be able to share my findings on such an important issue” said Dr Hadjimatheou. "I was also so impressed by Jess’s deep understanding of the challenges facing the domestic abuse and sexual violence sector and her dedication to making real and long-term change to protect women and girls.”

She added: “My research shows that Clare’s Law is much more impactful and empowering when victims and survivors receive specialist support to help them process and deal with what can be quite shocking information about their partner’s criminal history.

“It also shows that victims and survivors can be left frightened and isolated when police make them sign strict confidentiality agreements, threatening them with prosecution if they tell anyone about what they have heard.”

Dr Hadjimatheou is now hopeful that the Home Office’s statutory guidance for police on implementing Clare’s Law will be revised to allow people to share the information they receive with a support worker, counsellor, social worker or trusted person.

“This will reduce isolation and fear, and mean people can make better decisions about their safety and the safety of their family,” she said. “I’m also hopeful that the national training for police on domestic abuse, known as ‘DA Matters’ will be updated to include training specifically on how to deliver a disclosure in a trauma-informed and victim-centred way.”

Ideally, she would also like to see Clare’s Law in the UK follow the example of South Australia, where the scheme is delivered in partnership with specialist domestic abuse services.

“This would encourage more people who are wary of contacting police to apply for a disclosure, and it would ensure they are better supported to stay safe after one,” she said.

Dr Hadjimatheou, from our Department of Sociology and Criminology,  is now working with the National Police Chief’s Council and the College of Policing to make sure the wording of disclosures is suitable for people with neurodivergences, emotional trauma and brain injury, as the information can be shocking and difficult for people to take in.

Reflecting on the anniversary of Clare’s Law, Dr Hadjimatheou said her research shows that, overall, Clare’s Law is highly valued by victims and survivors and can make a real difference to the safety of people at risk of domestic abuse.

Download the policy briefing - Clare’s Law 10 Years on: Is it working for victims and survivors? – from our website.