Clare’s Law: ‘My partner had attacked 20 other women’

In England the average number of applications per 100,000 people for disclosures under Clare’s Law is 75.

In the Cleveland Police force area it is 355 per 100,000 people, the highest in England and Wales.

Abbie Bentley from EVA Women’s Aid in Redcar is not surprised.

Ms Bentley, an independent domestic violence advocate, speaks to women every day who are looking for support to leave abusive relationships.

She says one of the first things they ask women who phone for help is if they have used Clare’s Law. In most cases, they have not heard of it.

Ms Bentley helps women make an application using Clare’s Law every week.

To do this you need the person’s full name, date of birth and address and can apply on your local police force’s website or by ringing 101.

Det Ch Insp Helen Barker, Cleveland Police lead for violence against women and girls, says the force “welcomes the information” that it has the highest number of applications per head of population.

She describes Clare’s Law as a “really useful” tool, adding that because the Cleveland Police force area has high levels of domestic abuse, officers take a “proactive approach” to using the law themselves.