Get To Know Potential Partner’s Track Record Before Dating

The British government is contemplating a law to protect unwary women from men with a history of domestic violence.

Women who use the internet to seek boyfriends could thus win the right to force the police to reveal if they have a history of violence.

Uniting to End Violence - International Women’s Day 2009
International Women’s Day 2009 will focus on fostering a genuine partnership between men and women to eliminate violent atrocities against women and girls.

In the UK, more and more women are going out with men whose backgrounds they know little about, it is pointed out, and the law could offer them some protection.

The proposal is being called Clare's Law in reference to Clare Wood, who was murdered in 2009. Ms Wood met George Appleton, her killer, via Facebook without being aware of his record of domestic violence against previous partners. Appleton murdered her and set her body on fire before hanging himself.

A campaign for the change will be launched on Monday with the support of police chiefs and Louise Casey, the Government's Victims Commissioner.

It is modelled on Sarah’s Law’ that enables parents the right to check on paedophiles in their area - the law coming into force after the murder of schoolgirl Sarah Payne back in 2000.

There are some voices of concern, though. Tory MP Robert Buckland, a member of the Commons Justice Committee, said: "We’re all in favour of curbing violence against women but we have to be certain this will not lead to fishing expeditions by women demanding confidential information about potential boyfriends without proper justification.

“You cannot have a carte blanche system where people can simply turn up at a police station, give the name of a boyfriend or potential boyfriend, and expect the police to open up all the files on him. There will have to be strict controls on any proposal of this nature.”

Supporters of Clare’s Law insist that there would be safeguards to prevent any such abuse.

Louise Casey insists: “Our priority should not be protecting a perpetrator’s privacy at the expense of costing a woman’s life.”

Hazel Blears, the former Home Office minister and now leading the campaign, said: ''Clare's tragic death shows how vulnerable women aren't always protected under the current law, and until women are given the right to know if their partner has a history of serial domestic abuse, they can't be sure of the risk that they face.

''By changing the law we can empower women so that they can take informed action about their relationship and give them the chance to protect themselves and prevent domestic abuse from happening before it begins.''

Source-Medindia