The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, introduced a Bill designed to further protect those at risk of intimate partner violence.

The Bill entitled ‘An Act Respecting Disclosure of Information Under an Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol’, is designed to give police agencies the ability to release relevant information about a person’s abusive history to their partner who is determined to be at risk. If passed in the House of Assembly, the department will work with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as stakeholder groups to develop the protocol and regulations.

This legislation is more commonly known as “Clare’s Law,” which was first introduced in the United Kingdom and named in honour of Clare Wood, a woman who was murdered by her partner and was unaware of his violent past. Clare’s father fought for an initiative that would release relevant information about prior criminal history to intimate partners who are at risk.

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“This legislation complements our government’s efforts to help make Newfoundland and Labrador a safer place for women and girls. We know this protocol will not eliminate gender based violence, but I strongly believe it will help reduce the rates of domestic violence in our communities.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

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Media contact
Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
LesleyClarke@gov.nl.ca