West Mercia Women’s Aid
I Need Help

A safety plan can help to protect you and your children. It helps you plan in advance for the possibility of future violence and abuse. It also helps you to consider how you can increase your safety either within the relationship, or if you decide to leave.

Safety Planning Downloads
– Still in an abusive relationship
– Preparing to leave your abuser
– Already left an abuser
– Safety planning with children
– Staying Safe during social distancing

• In an emergency or if you feel scared or threatened in any way call 999 immediately
• Seek support – Call the WMWA Helpline or call The National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300
• Consider talking to family or friends and asking them to support you to stay safe or to act as a buddy to check in with on journeys or when you going out
• Vary your routine – change the times and routes you take and consider carrying a personal alarm or purchasing additional security equipment for your home such as lighting or CCTV
• Do not engage with the stalker in any way or give out your location or plans on social media
• If it is safe to do so keep a diary and use a secure email or the Brightsky app to store evidence such as texts, photos or emails
• More safety information is available on www.suzylamplugh.org

The Glade
If you, a friend or family member have been a victim of rape or sexual assault and would like advice or to self-refer for advice or support please contact The Glade.

Telephone: 0808 178 2058
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year) Your call will be answered by a specially trained crisis worker who is there to offer advice and support.

Website: www.theglade.org.uk

If you need immediate help you can go to your local pharmacy and ask for Ani (ANI: Action Needed Immediately). In an emergency always call 999

How can you find out if your partner has abused before?

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme commonly known as ‘Clare’s Law’ – named after Clare Wood who was murdered in 2009 by her boyfriend, was launched in March 2014 in England and Wales. It enables police to disclose to individuals details of their partners’ abusive past. It also allows anyone to make enquiries about an individual who is in a relationship with someone they know, where there is a concern that the individual may be violent towards their partner.

Every request under Clare’s Law is checked by a panel of police, probation services and other agencies to ensure information is only shared where it is lawful, proportionate and necessary.

Clare’s Law has two functions:

• ‘Right to ask’ – this enables someone to ask the police about a partner’s previous history of domestic violence or violent acts.
• ‘Right to know’ – police can proactively disclose information in certain circumstances.

If police checks show that the individual has a record of domestic abuse offences, or there is other information to indicate that you, or the person you know is at risk, the police will consider sharing this information.

The aim of the scheme is to increase public safety and ensure better protection for victims of domestic abuse by helping people make a more informed decision on whether to continue a relationship.

How do I request information?

You can make a request for information by visiting the West Mercia Police website and completing the application form or call 101 to request a DVDS (domestic violence disclosure).

https://www.westmercia.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/alpha2/request-information-under-clares-law/

If you would like to discuss this in more detail you can ring our 24hr Helpline on 0800 783 1359 (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin) or 0800 980 3331 (Worcestershire) or use our LiveChat service.