The people who knock the door with the worst possible news about a partner's past

Yahoo

26-01-2025

Inside Bury police station, Sergeant Keith Galley gathers up several sheets of paper and puts them inside a folder. The information written on them has taken police staff several weeks to compile. And for one local woman, it could have a huge impact on her future life decisions
For the woman, who is in her 20s and has children, has asked for disclosure under both 'Clare's Law' and 'Sarah's Law.' Clare's Law, often known officially as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, gives people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.
It is named after Clare Wood, from Salford, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2009, and has now been in operation for a decade. Whilst Sarah's Law allows people to request information from the police about a person who may be a risk to a child. It is named after eight year-old Sarah Payne who was murdered in 2000 by a convicted sex offender.
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The information has to be given directly. It can be done via video call, but on this occasion Sgt Galley and his colleague PC Tom Stansfield, are on their way to deliver the news face-to-face.
They are invited into her home and make their way into the living room. After introducing themselves, PC Stansfield reads aloud a preamble, which he has to deliver word-for-word, before moving on and telling her the information, garnered from the national police database.
The M.E.N is not allowed to report what she is told and she isn't allowed to tell anyone else. She first has to sign a disclaimer promising she won't divulge it to anyone without first asking the police for permission. She appears visibly moved and on the verge of tears as the information is read to her.
Asked by the officers afterwards if she knew about what she was told she says 'only a bit.' Asked how she feels, she says: "A little bit disturbed. But I suppose that's what it is there for. As people won't always be truthful."
She says there was an incident that the police were informed about which led to the request. But that prior to that she 'hadn't had any issues with him' and that 'I didn't think anything would be there' as 'it seemed liked he had been open and honest with me.'
"Shocked is the right word" she says. "When you are in a relationship for two years you come to know a version of someone, and hearing that, it is a completely different version of him than what I know.
"I asked him repeatedly if there is anything I should know and he continued to say no. Having the information means I am in the position to make a decision." The officers cannot pass any comment on the information or advise her what to do, but she is informed there is support available if she needs it.
Sgt Galley says she appeared on the verge of tears. "I think there will be tears now we've left" PC Stansfield adds. "She has the upper hand now" he continues "And she can make the decision." "No matter what she does, we have done what we can to make sure she has the information so she can do what she wants " adds Sgt Galley.
"I do feel bad sometimes" says PC Stansfield. "Not because people may be splitting up, its more for the victim or person that has asked. I went to one where they were getting married on the Saturday, and this was on the Thursday. And she said 'I guess the wedding is off then.'
"You come away knowing you have done a good job but also having potentially wrecked that person emotionally. But ultimately you have protected that person. And when you have someone like we did today saying they feel empowered, you feel like all the hard work is worth it."
"It's hard, but its for the right reasons" adds Sgt Galley.
The officers are members of one of three specialist domestic violence teams (DATs), each consisting of a sergeant, and three PCS, and overseen by an inspector, which are based at Bury police station.
They are on hand to go and assist their colleagues if any domestic-related calls come in which are deemed 'high risk.' No such calls have yet come in. So the officers decide to pay a visit to a woman whose former partner is now behind bars. He has been jailed for breaching a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO).
Greater Manchester is one of just three forces where they are being piloted with Sgt Galley, PC Stansfield and their colleagues on domestic abuse team (DAT) in Bury, who have spearheaded the project in GM, among first officers in the country to use them. Seven have so far been issued in the borough with another currently going through the courts.
The pilot has, since the start of the year, been expanded to Wigan, where five orders are already in place. A DAPO can be made by a court during ongoing criminal, family, or civil proceedings. Applications can also be made by the police, by a victim themselves or by a third party.
There is no minimum or maximum period they can be in place for, and they include mandatory notification requirements as well as a number of potential prohibitions. These could include could include stopping a perpetrator from coming within a specified distance of a victim's home or workplace.
A major challenge for officers dealing with domestic violence is that very often the victims or complainants do not support a prosecution, or end up withdrawing their support. However these orders do not require a conviction for them to be imposed. The applicant just has to provide evidence it is necessary and proportionate. And GMP says it is allowing officers the ability to intervene in cases where previously they may have been powerless to.
Whilst the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, has said has welcomed the work of GMP and all the other forces involved in the pilot. Pursuing breaches of the orders is 'incredibly important to build victim confidence' added.
Police first became involved with the woman Sgt Galley and PC Stansfield are visiting, who is in her 40s, after a friend reported that her partner had attacked her, which both he and she denied.
Numerous incidents and attempted prosecutions have followed. In the woman's own words it has been 'one hell of a nightmare of a relationship.' "I have severe anxiety" she says. "So the idea of going to court was horrendous and I never went" she says.
However, her ex-partner has now received a custodial sentence after being slapped with a DAPO. A DAPO may be made by a court during ongoing criminal, family, or civil proceedings. Applications can also be made by the police, by a victim themselves or by a third party.
There is no minimum or maximum period they can be in place for, and they include mandatory notification requirements as well as a number of potential prohibitions. These could include stopping a perpetrator from coming within a specified distance of a victim's home and/or any specified premises, such as a workplace.
Sgt Galley and his team applied to the courts after the latest prosecution involving this woman and her former partner collapsed.
Breaching one is an arrestable criminal offence and he is now behind bars after breaking two of the conditions.
Sgt Galley and PC Stansfield are popping in to see how she is. Sat on her sofa with her dressing gown on, Sgt Galley tells her: "This is the best I have ever seen you."
She has a beaming smile across her face. "I have just booked a holiday to Benidorm" she says. "
"He was spending all my money, I had nothing.
"It's the best thing that's ever happened to me" she says, referring to the order.
"I don't think he realised how serious it was. But for me, it takes away that guilt and worry. It isn't me that has put him in prison, it is himself."
PC Stansfield tells her she may find that she 'grieves for the relationship' but that is perfectly normal.
"At the minute I'm okay, but it is still quite new", the woman says.
"I have just started clearing out my back bedroom. The main thing is I'm not drinking. I'm not interested in it."
"I hope it is rolled out a lot more" she says. "People need to be aware it's there and people who have got them to be aware of how serious they are. It's allowed me to come to terms with who he really is, and offered me a way out."
Outside, Sgt Galley says: "She has got her life back."
"I've never seen her so happy. And I'm happy myself. I'm so chuffed", says PC Stansfield.
"I'm buzzing for her. I got into this job to lock people up. But dealing with cases like this has made me realise that its helping people like her that makes it so rewarding."