Claire's Law Application

[DaniMoo]

Hey
Hoping someone can help? Before I drive myself insane.

I have recently starting dating someone new and it has come out, through me finding out as opposed to him telling me, that back in 2014 he went to prison for 7 months. (Drug related crime)

I confronted him, he said he was embarrassed and was going to tell me when the time was right.

Anyway... On the back of this, I have requested a Claire's Law Disclosure. I have children and I won't put their safety at risk for anyone. There has been absolutely no violence or even a hint of violence towards me. In fact he is one of the kindest, most respectful guys I have met. But I'm a mum!

Today I had a phone call from the police to ask me to attend the police station and have a 'chat'. This means, I'm guessing, they have something to disclose.

My question is... would they disclose the fact that he was in prison even though it was drug related? Or does this mean there is definitely DV in his past? They wouldn't disclose over the phone and I can't get an appointment until after half term to go in. I am freaking out just a little bit. Also have plans to see him, not that I'm scared of him at all. But feels like everything is up in the air.

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

I personally would put it on hold until I knew for sure what’s gone on. I think when you have kids you have to put them first and your happiness second. You don’t know who you are dealing with and it would worry me that the police need to have a chat. Must be important!

As far as I know Claire’s law would only lead to a verbal disclosure if the police think that there is a risk of violence or abuse, or there is a record of violence or abuse.

I’d suggest taking their input seriously and well done for checking.

As far as I'm aware (someone please correct me if I am wrong) the Police will only request a face to face meeting if they want to disclose to you something they think is relevant and of concern. So if I were you I would make up an excuse to avoid seeing him until you've spoken to the Police, definitely.

They don't disclose anything other than history of domestic abuse. They wouldn't tell you about him going to prison for anything else unless violence was involved.

I have no advice for you- but I didn't know about this. Very helpful so thank you! x

God I would be very worried, I hope it's nothing major

For a disclosure they first need to meet you, check who you are and your interest in him. Then they complete a form which you sign today 'If' they disclose to you That you won't tell anyone.
Then once that's done the forms go back in and a few weeks later you will be told if there or isn't a disclosure to make.
They only disclose relevant information so might not disclose a previous drugs offence. They will disclose violence though.

What scatterbrain said. I put in a CL request and had to take ID and give some details about the relationship. Still waiting on results.

Clare's Law discloses Domestic Violence. It will not show Common Assault.

If he assaulted a girlfriend who wasn't co-habiting with him, it won't be disclosed.

When I applied for a disclosure they invited me in to check who I was. I think I had to take some ID in. They do a background check on you and then check the person you want checking. Then some weeks after I was invited back to see the disclosure and a really good supporting discussion which led to me retreating immediately from the relationship, blocking everything and having a “tab” put on my phone number so if anything happened and I called the police my number would go straight to the top of the list as a priority.

Thought I would post an update on here just in case anyone searches in future.
So I went into the police station on 13th February and this was to complete a form, show them my ID and explain my relationship to this guy.
They explained the process as follows. After this initial meeting they would search the records held, if there was anything to disclose it would then have to be decided if it was suitable to share and I would hear back in due course.
This evening, nearly 2 weeks later, I receive a phone call advising that they do in fact want to disclose and I have an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. There I have to sign a confidentiality agreement and then the officer will disclose.

I am feeling pretty shitty that I've managed to get myself into this position with a guy. And after finding out about the prison thing asked him so many times if there was anything else I needed to know. Ladies if you have any doubt please make an application! x

It's not your fault, OP. Well done for getting the check done on him, hopefully a bullet dodged.

I would now add a Sarah's Law application.

And well done on the Claire's Law. It's not easy to do that, to have the conversation and to make an official check up on your partner but you put the kids first and you did it. 💐

Well done for following through on your guy feelings, which are all too easy to ignore especially in new relationships.

Well done on following it through, you’ve saved yourself and your child from a lot of potential damage.

@PicsInRed could they reveal everything under the Claire’s application, as she’s already asked?

I agree with the PP, well done on following up with it.

Well done on chasing this up OP. So many don’t.

That is such a brave thing to do, I imagine you must be feeling anxious tonight. I hope the police can advise you as to any services who can support you with processing the disclosure.

You absolutely did the right thing, this is the reason the law was passed. You have done nothing wrong and have no reason to feel bad. We all put our trust in people early on in relationships - you followed your instincts and in doing so kept safe.

Thank god these kind of laws exist.

Possibly Emmelina, but bureaucracy can be a funny thing and the separate application must be there for a reason. Better safe than sorry.

I don't think you should feel shitty about yourself at all. You have, in fact, been really responsible. Thank you for sharing and updating. This is very, very helpful.

Don’t feel shitty at all, you should be proud of yourself for protecting your kids and you.

It’s very easy for men to lie and act kind and wonderful in the beginning. Anyone would be drawn in. Let’s hope the next woman has as good a head on her shoulders as you.

Thanks for updating
If you feel comfortable please let us know what was disclosed