Almost 1,000 people have been told about their partner’s abusive past in the last year alone as increasing numbers make requests through the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland.
Between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019, a total of 924 disclosures were made under the scheme, which was introduced by Police Scotland four years ago today (Tuesday October 1).
The number of requests has increased year-on-year and in the past year alone, the number of requests rose by 59 per cent to 2,177.
This takes into account applications under both the Right to Ask, received from individuals, and the Power to Tell, where Police Scotland decides to make a disclosure to safeguard a person.
Overall, since the scheme was launched in 2015, a total of 5,700 requests have been received and 2,760 disclosures have been made.
Police Scotland has worked extensively to raise the profile of the scheme among officers and this has led to a 71 per cent rise in applications made under the Power to Tell.
Detective Superintendent Gordon McCreadie, Police Scotland’s national lead for domestic abuse said: “Domestic abuse is unacceptable and it is vital that we collectively use every tool at our disposal to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
“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.
“We do not tolerate domestic abuse. We investigate fully all reports received and perpetrators should expect to face the full consequences of their abusive behaviour.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
