Clare's Law: Call to rename domestic abuse scheme after only nine men contact West Mercia Police

The charity Mankind is encouraging men to make use of the law which allows anyone to request information about a partner's past if they are worried that they may have been abusive in the past.

Domestic abuse survivor and ManKind honorary patron, Ian McNicholl, submitted a Freedom of Information Request to West Mercia Police which revealed just nine men have made an application under Clare's Law.

Mr McNicholl believes the name of the law puts men off using it and asks the police to refer to is as the The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

He said: "Had this legislation been available to me, why would I have taken advantage of Clare’s Law? Why would I even think that Clare’s Law applied to me?

"The commonly used shorthand title for this legislation is not gender inclusive and it is now absolutely clear that the terminology used is creating barriers. This life-changing legislation is available to both females and males right across West Mercia and men must be encouraged to come forward and seek help from the police.

"Please don’t be like me, make the request to West Mercia police. Alternatively, I would encourage friends, family members and work colleagues to make the request on a behalf of a male they are concerned about."

The Home Office reports that male victims are more than three times as likely as women not to tell anyone about partner abuse. Figures show only 10 per cent of men will report the abuse to the police.

Mark Brooks, chairman of the ManKind Initiative, added: "It is clear the domestic violence disclosure scheme is not being used widely enough and taken advantage of by men. We believe that this is because not enough men and professionals think this legislation also applies to men.

"In the future we hope that in promoting this invaluable piece of legislation, it will encourage more men to use it and of course, more women too, and that professionals will make men aware that the legislation applies to them."

Under the law, if police checks show that a partner has a record of abusive behavior, or there is other information to indicate that someone is at risk from their partner, the police will consider sharing the information.

For further information visit mankind.org.uk