6 months Ago
Hanneke van der Werf of opposition party D66 says the law is crucial because victims of domestic violence usually are unaware of their partner's violent past. Bente Becker of the ruling VVD added that dangerous behavior is often already known to authorities but concealed from potential victims. According to Songul Mutluer from GroenLinks-PvdA, a law providing this type of access to current affairs "could save lives" by revealing violent pasts before others are harmed.
Clare's Story Prompts Demand for Action in the Netherlands
The UK law is known as Clare's law, after Clare Wood, who was killed in 2009 by her former boyfriend George Appleton. Wood had reported threats and abuse to the police before her death, but had no knowledge of Appleton's history of violence against other women. Appleton later shot himself after he killed her and set her home ablaze. Her father subsequently campaigned for legal changes, which resulted in a law in the UK named Clare's Law.
The soon-to-be Dutch form also extends the option of information request beyond just partners — even close relatives or friends could ask for information. Family members will often have a feeling when they're in a dangerous relationship," van der Werf said. Becker recounted one case where a mother knew her daughter was in trouble readily enough, and access to police records could have saved her life.
Weighing Privacy and Protection
The coalition is mindful a law must comply with privacy rules. Van der Werf said that the UK's version already has robust safeguards to prevent abuse. "There has to be proportionality and there also has to be necessity," she said. Becker said that the right of a woman to be secure should take precedence over a murderer's right to keep personal details private, particularly if that information could save lives.
In the Netherlands a woman is killed every eight days, often by their (ex-)partner. Lawmakers think giving people access to this type of information can stop more tragedies. "It can also empower victims to make informed decisions and ask for help before it's too late," Mutluer said. The proposal is likely to win broad backing in the Tweede Kamer, with many lawmakers expressing hope the Netherlands will join other countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia in having such laws.
