Woman from West Yorkshire describes Clare's Law as a wake-up call

As hundreds of Clare's Law applications are made to police in West Yorkshire every month, we're hearing from one woman who's described it as a wake up call.

Michael Brown, the father of murdered Clare Wood (second left) and (from left to right) Michael's partner Elizabeth Betts, Hazel Blears MP, Michelle Livesey from Bauer Media, and Clare's brother Adam Brown-Wilkinson hand in a petition at 10 Downing Street
Author: Katie LyonsPublished 10th Mar 2025

This month marks 11 years since the law changed to give people the right to ask police about a partner's history and in the time 10s of thousands of disclosures have been made across the country.

We're hearing from one woman, Millie, not her real name who is working with Leeds Domestic Violence Service’s Voices Project.

She explained getting the results of her abusive ex-partner helped her with her next steps.

Millie said: "It validated for me, what I'd gone through with this person and that they'd done it to other people.

"It's upsetting but I think it gives you a bit of a reality check and it made me a bit stronger in making the next decision."

When asked why she didn't apply for a Clare's Law earlier, she explained: "I wish I had of done it a lot sooner, but that's reasons because he used to check my phone, so I was forever clearing things out I was probably too scared to do it in the relationship. But I'd suggest people use it as quick as then can."

Millie is now encouraging women to submit a Clare's Law, which a friend or family member can do for you, if you are concerned about someone finding out.

She told the LDVS Voices Project: "It's scary but it's something that needs to be done, because it gives you some clarity and understanding of more that this is the history of what this person has previously done."

If you have been affected by this story, you can contacted the Leeds Domestic Violence Service here.

To find out more about Clare's Law, click here.