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Community Disclosure Schemes

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With the vast majority of offences, it is up to you as an individual to decide whether to tell your loved ones about the offence.

However, in the case of sexual offences and offences relating to domestic abuse, there are circumstances in which people are able to request information from the police about your background.

The Sex Offender Community Disclosure Scheme

The Sex Offender Community Disclosure Scheme provides a formal way for parents, carers or guardians to request information about someone who is involved in their family life.

In addition, any other member of the general public who is concerned that a child might be at risk can submit a request under the scheme. However, only the parent, carer or guardian of the child can be given information.

If you have a conviction for a sexual offence against a child, the police will make a judgement as to whether sharing that information is "necessary and proportionate" to enable the parent, carer or guardian to protect the child.

In some circumstance, the police will work with you to enable you to disclose the information yourself.

In England this is known as Sarah's Law, so you might sometimes hear people refer to it as that.

More information on the Sex Offender Community Disclosure Scheme can be accessed on the Scottish Government website.

The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland

The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland allows members of the public to find out whether a person has a history of domestic abuse.

You can apply to find out about:

  • Your own partner's history of domestic abuse
  • Someone else's partner – you do not have to be related to the person
  • Someone you work with if you're a professional

Information will be shared if the police decide it is "lawful and necessary". They will disclose information if:

  • Police checks show that the partner has a record of abusive behaviour
  • There is other information that suggests a potential victim is at risk

In England this is known as Clare's Law, so you might sometimes hear people refer to it as that.

More information on the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland can be found on the Scottish Government website.

A table with examples of appropriate language use
A table showing the notification periods for the various sentence types. Prison sentence of 30 months or more (including life), Indefinite. Order for lifelong restriction, Indefinite. Admission to a hospital subject to a restriction order, Indefinite. Prison sentence of more than 6 months but less than 30 months, 10 years. Prison sentence of 6 months or less, 7 years. Admission to a hospital without a restriction order, 7 years. Community payback order with an offender supervision requirement, The length of the offender supervision requirement. Any other sentence (e.g. a fine or admonition), 5 years.
Last updated:
September 3, 2024

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