Women's shelter director expecting rush of applications as Clare's Law goes live in N.L.

Newfoundland and Labrador has become the third province to enact a version of Clare's Law, a piece of legislationthat helps peoplefind out if they're at riskof domestic violence from a current or former partner.

It has been four years since the province passedthe legislation that would allow Clare's Law, but it sat stagnant until theprovince officially proclaimed theInterpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol Act atan announcement in St. John's on Thursday morning.

The act is named after British woman Clare Wood, who was murdered by her ex-partner in 2009. Its aim is to increasesafety for peoplein intimate relationships who are at risk of violence from their partners.

"Clare's Law is a revolutionary piece of legislation that empowers individuals to take control of their safety and well-being," saidMalin Enstrm,acting executive director ofIris Kirby House.

"It will have a really good impact, because it will be another tool that they can use to protect themselves."

Enstrmsaid intimate partner violenceis a significant national health issue.

Because of capacity issues,Iris Kirby House a shelter and safe haven for women and children fleeing domestic violence had to turn away 397 people in the last fiscal year.

"I think we're going see a peak ofapplications and then it will temper off a little bit. I think there's a lot of women right now that are going to apply fairly quickly,"Enstrmsaid.

"I think that this application might help a lot of people to maybe findthat extra step to takethe courage to maybe leave a relationship that they know, that gut feeling, that this is not a good relationship."

How it works

Applications can be made online or in person at any police station. There is no fee.

The RCMP and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary process applications based on the jurisdiction, and their intimate partner violence units handle each case under four different risk levels. The RNC has two officers in its intimate partner violence unit, with other members across the force also trained, while the RCMP has five members in its unit under the umbrella of the special victims section.

Both police forces are working together and will share information with each other.

WATCH | This women's shelterdirector praises Clare's Law:

New Clares Law will empower abused women to protect themselves, shelter director says

10 months ago

Duration 1:03

The legislation allows residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who are concerned about their safety in a current or former intimate partner relationship to discreetly ask about their partners criminal history. Malin Enstrom, acting executive director of Iris Kirby House in St. John's, says Clares Law is a preventative tool and she expects a surge in applications.

Everything under theInterpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol Act is confidential, from the application process down to the disclosure meeting.

The RNC and RCMP lean toward in-person disclosure meetings where the information will be shared verbally withconfidentiality agreements made. However, those meetings can also happen by phone.

The person who is the subject of the application the possibly violent partner is never notified.

Applicants also won't be forced to file criminal complaints if outlining criminal offences in their submissions. A support person or organization, such as Iris Kirby House, can also file an application on behalf of someone else with written consent. Others include doctors, lawyers, registered nurses, police officers, psychologists, social workers and Indigenous government representatives.

"The right of choice is always with the complainant, with theapplicant, with the victim survivor," said RNCSupt. Sharon Warren.

"We would never force anybody through a court process unless they are co-operative and they want that. So although they give us information we will not addthat risk to them to force them to a criminal complaint."

If an applicant is in immediate danger, the new website will direct them to phone linesfor help.

Police may also take a "right to know" approach, which is when they proactively disclose information directly to a person at risk of intimate partner violence if they become aware a person is at risk.

"We have officers who review every file that comes into the RNC on a daily basis, and if we recognize there is something with an intimate partner, it'slogged," said RNCInsp.Tammy Madden.

"So that's where the right to know comes in, we can approach this person and say, 'Hey, there is some risk here.' We can deal with resources for them, we can help them possibly leave that relationship if needed."

To be eligible, applicants must live in Newfoundland and Labrador, be in a current or former intimate partner relationship and have a reason for requesting the information, such as a concern for safety or well-being.

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