More people using scheme to find out about their partner’s past

Almost 1,000 people have been told about their partner’s abusive past in the last year as more people use a scheme to investigate their history.

The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland gives people the right to ask police if they suspect their current partner may have an abusive past and gives police the power to tell someone if they think they may be at risk.

New figures show that between October 1 2018 and September 30 2019, 924 disclosures were made under the scheme.

Detective Superintendent Gordon McCreadie, Police Scotland’s national lead for domestic abuse, said: “The scheme is an important tool in tackling domestic abuse and it is really encouraging that our officers are increasingly using it to protect people at risk of harm.

“Anyone who is concerned about their partner’s past, or who thinks their friend or colleague may be subject to domestic abuse, can make an application under the scheme.

“Where a risk is identified a disclosure will be made to the person at risk of abuse, enabling them to make an informed choice about continuing the relationship or making themselves safe.”

Police Scotland said that in the four years since the scheme was launched, 5,700 requests have been received and 2,760 disclosures have been made.

The scheme also allows any concerned third party to make the application on a person’s behalf.

Each case is considered by a multi-agency panel to determine whether disclosure is lawful, necessary and proportionate to protect the individual from their partner.