UK women can now find out if partner had abusive past

LONDON: People across England and Wales will now be able to find out from the police if their partners have a history of domestic violence before getting into a relationship with them.

A law rolled out nationally in Britain on Saturday—The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme —known as Clare's Law-—will provide information that could protect someone from being a victim of attack . It has been chosen by the home secretary Theresa May to coincide with International Women's Day.

The scheme is named after Clare Wood, who was brutally murdered five years ago by her former partner George Appleton, who had a record of violence against women. From Saturday , Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) are also being rolled out across the country. This new power will enable police and magistrates' courts to provide protection to victims in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident.

May said, "It will provide victims with information that may protect them from an abusive situation before it ends in tragedy" .