AYRSHIRE is to pilot a new scheme aimed at tackling domestic abuse.

Police Scotland have announced that the area will be one of two to test the new Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse.

Under the scheme, women will be have the 'right to ask’ if their partners have a history of abuse or violence.

The measure is known as Clare’s Law, which was run out in England and Wales earlier this year, named for Clare Wood, who was murdered five years ago by her ex-boyfriend who had a history of violence towards women.

Karen Gardner, boss of East Ayrshire’s Women’s Aid, said: “Anything that can help reduce the risk for women and their families from violent men can only be seen as a positive thing.

“Most domestic abuse is still not reported and in some cases the Law wouldn’t have helped. But in others it would and that can only be a good thing.

“It has got to happen within a wider frame of actions taken to reduce the cases of domestic abuse. A lot is being done across Ayrshire and beyond and this is another string to our bow.” The pilot will begin in late November and will run for six months before a thorough evaluation takes place.

Local MSP Adam Ingram said: “It is right that people in relationships should have the opportunity to seek the facts about their partner’s background if, for example, they have concerns that their partner has a history of violence and I am particularly interested in the results of the pilot to assess how effective it can be.

“Clearly, combating domestic abuse requires a range of actions and activity and today’s announcement is another tool justice agencies can use in their work to tackle this unacceptable behaviour. The Scottish Government is investing £34.5m in funding between 2012 – 15 to be targeted at a range of initiatives working to tackle violence against women, including domestic abuse in Scotland.

Chief Superintendent Gillian MacDonald, Ayrshire’s police commander, said: “Domestic Abuse is a key priority for us and one which we take a zero tolerance approach to. We have well established working relationships with partners in the three local authorities in North, East and South Ayrshire, as well as with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and a range of third sector agencies, including ASSIST advocacy service and Women’s Aid. The joint work and innovative approaches we have developed over the years with our partners across Ayrshire will allow us to test the scheme in the best possible environment and add to other tried and tested measures which we use daily to keep people safe from domestic abuse.

“I am confident that the scheme will provide an early preventative measure which will allow the police and our partners to protect potential victims from abuse.

“By providing a 'right to ask’ and a 'right to know’ we will actively ensure that any concerns can be researched and information provided to those who may be in danger. We will assist potential victims and get them any help they might need, while dealing with any abuse which may come to light and which, otherwise, may have remained unreported.”