A SCHEME which allows people to be told if their partner has been violent in the past is operating in Inverclyde.

Police Scotland said the aim of the scheme was to prevent domestic abuse by “empowering” men and women with the “right to ask”.

It also allows concerned members of the public, such as relatives and friends, to make enquiries about someone’s partner if they are concerned that person has been abusive in the past. 

Gillian Cooper, who is a detective constable at Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland can be accessed by anyone who is worried about their partner, or by someone who may be concerned about another’s partner or even if they are concerned about a friend or relative who is behaving differently since being in a new relationship. 

“The form takes only a few minutes to complete and will come directly to our unit who will progress it. 

“Sometimes it may just be that little bit of information the person needed to leave a potentially abusive relationship. 

“It really is a powerful tool and proactive approach to preventing domestic abuse.”

The form can be found online at www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/disclosure/