Aberdeen is one of two Scottish locations that have been selected to pilot a new domestic violence disclosure scheme.

The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse, also known as Clare’s Law, will undergo trials in Aberdeen City and Ayrshire. The pilots will start in late November and run for six months before a thorough evaluation takes place.

A similar scheme is already in operation in England and Wales, and allows people to find out if their partner has a history of domestic violence. It is referred to as Clare’s Law after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her former partner in 2009.

The news of the pilots was welcomed by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, as he visited the Caledonian System, a domestic abuse programme in Aberdeen which works with the perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse.

“It is right that people in relationships should have the opportunity to seek the facts about their partner’s background if, for example, they have concerns that their partner has a history of violence, and I am particularly interested in the results of the pilot to assess how effective it can be,” said Mr MacAskill.

“The scheme has already proved successful in England and Wales and it is important that the practical implementation is tested to ensure that it is suitable for Scotland’s unique justice system,” he added.

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