Clare’s Law now in effect: How to make an application for information

Clare’s Law – the Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol Act – came into effect in Saskatchewan Monday.

The Saskatoon police, in a release, says the service will accept applications from members of the public seeking information on an intimate partner’s past violent or abusive behaviour.

The Act, which was put in place by the province to help protect victims of interpersonal violence, allows a municipal police service to disclose certain risk-related information to a current or former intimate partner for them to make informed decisions about their safety and relationship.

In the release, the police say there are two procedures for disclosing information – the “right to ask” and the “right to know.”

The “right to ask” is made by an applicant who believes they may be at risk of violence from an intimate partner. The “right to know” is a proactive decision by which a municipal police service identifies a need to disclose information to protect a potential victim.

The police remind the public that Clare’s Law is not the process to report domestic violence. To report intimate violence or abuse, you are asked to call police at 306-975-8300 or if it is an emergency, to call 911.