A north-east woman hopes sharing her family’s tragic story of domestic abuse will help save lives across the country.
Carol Whicher, who lives in Insch, has been telling the story of her niece Clare Wood, who was killed by her ex-partner in 2009.
After years of campaigning by her brother Michael Brown, who died in 2020, Clare’s Law was passed – meaning individuals have the right to know the details of convictions of a previous partner.
Since his death, Mrs Whicher has taken on the campaign and continues to look for ways to help women get the information they need.
“My mission is to raise awareness of domestic abuse and Clare’s Law,” she said. “There were 65,000 cases of domestic abuse in Scotland last year, and that’s just those that were reported.
“Claire’s Law is just one of the tools available to individuals to safeguard themselves. If someone hears about it, it might resonate and even save somebody from becoming another statistic.”
‘He created a legacy’
At the coroner’s inquest following Miss Wood’s death, it was revealed that the man who killed her had previously served a custodial sentence for violence against women.
Her father, Michael Brown, questioned why nobody had ever warned his daughter.
Mrs Whicher said: “My brother realised there was an unintentional loophole which was letting perpetrators hide behind data protection.”
Mr Brown, who was originally from Aberdeen, spent a decade fighting to change the law.
From starting a petition to meeting the Home Secretary and top police officers, his work eventually led to a pilot scheme being launched in England and Wales.
The scheme was then expanded to Scotland, with a trial in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, before being officially adopted in 2016 as the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse.
Now, any person has a “right to ask”, by applying to the police for information about an individual, and the “right to know”.
Mrs Whicher added: “Michael put aside his own personal grief and was strong and unwavering to get the law changed.
“What he achieved is truly inspirational and he has created a legacy that has and will continue to save countless lives now and in the future – a true and fitting outcome of years of selfless campaigning and befitting Clare’s memory.”
‘Valuable’ work of Women’s Aid
Since his death in 2020, Mrs Whicher has made it her mission to continue spreading awareness of Clare’s Law.
“It’s something I’m very passionate about, I feel Michael has passed the baton to me,” she said. “I have a voice and I will use it to continue to inform people and make them aware that it’s not just the odd occasion.”
On Saturday, the 68-year-old gave a talk during an afternoon tea charity event benefiting Grampian Women’s Aid at Kemnay Golf Club.
During her years as a member, the ladies’ committee has come to know Mrs Whicher’s story and decided to nominate a domestic abuse charity for this year’s fundraiser.
The charity offers a free, confidential and non-judgmental service to women, children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who have experienced domestic abuse.
She said: “I’m really grateful to everybody that made the day such a success – 96 ladies came out in awful weather and raised a total of £3,258 for the charity.
“We handed over the money at the afternoon tea where Alison Hay, one of the leads from Grampian Women’s Aid, spoke about domestic abuse. It highlighted how valuable they are.
“She shared that the money will be used to present their refuge flats to a high standard so that women and children feel that they are valued when they move in.”
‘Please talk about Clare’s Law’
Grampian Women’s Aid defines domestic abuse as a pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and/or violent behaviour, including sexual violence, by a partner or ex-partner.
Anyone who needs to contact the charity can do so by calling 01224 593381, emailing info@grampian-womens-aid.com or completing an online form.
Mrs Whicher added: “Much more needs to be done, I hope it becomes a topic discussed with senior pupils at school because education is the way forward.
“In the meantime, I would ask that people talk about Clare’s Law with family and friends given the opportunity to continue to raise awareness.”
The disclosure form can be found on the police website here.
Conversation