Petitioner calls for Clare's Law to be implemented here

It's currently in place across England, Wales and Jersey

A Manx resident is calling on the Isle of Man government to introduce a law that aims to reduce partner violence.

Clare's Law is Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme; it designates ways for police officers to disclose a person's history of abusive behaviour to those who may be at risk. 

It is currently implemented across England and Wales as well as in Jersey. 

You can find the petition HERE.

This woman, who won't be named, says it's an important law to have:

The chief executive of Victim Support Isle of Man says police already use common law disclosure to alert people if they are at risk.

Lorna Trevethan told Manx Radio in the last 12 months the organisation received 287 referrals of domestic abuse which amounts to 37 percent overall:

In response, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed the Constabulary already uses common law powers to make disclosures, where appropriate and a person is thought to be at risk of harm. 

"This is similar to the scheme that exists in England and Wales, prior to the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Act, of Parliament, and was called ‘Clare’s law’ or the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

"The Isle of Man’s Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which is in force, also has powers for disclosure to people at risk. 

"While the powers are in place, we have not yet introduced the enabling regulations because of resourcing constraints in the Department and the Police.

"Clare’s law is only one way that Domestic Abuse perpetrators are prevented from causing harm though. 

"The M-PPA (Manx Public Protection Arrangements) process, where an offender’s risk to the public is managed by a multi-agency team, is in place and we are shortly beginning a pilot of a MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) style approach to ensure the risk to victims and survivors of abuse is effectively managed."