Released on June 22, 2020
On June 29, 2020, The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act will come into force in Saskatchewan. “Clare’s Law” allows police to disclose information that could help protect potential victims of interpersonal violence. Once the legislation comes into force, Saskatchewan residents will be able to make an application to their local municipal police station for the release of information on an intimate partner’s past violent or abusive behaviour.“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to addressing issues of domestic and interpersonal violence,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said. “We hope that by implementing 'Clare’s Law,' we can inform those at risk and help protect them from potential violence and abuse.”
The information can be disclosed to applicants who believe they may be at risk from an intimate partner (“right to ask”), and to persons identified by police to be at risk (“right to know”).
Government has consulted with Saskatchewan’s municipal police services and the Provincial Association of Transition Houses to provide the necessary training for police to process Clare’s Law applications in accordance with the legislation. Any information that is released to applicants is subject to a stringent review process to ensure that the disclosure of information does not violate privacy legislation.
All municipal police services will be participating in this new protocol. The RCMP has recently indicated that it will not participate. We are attempting to reach federal ministers to ask them to review this decision.
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For more information, contact:
Marieka Andrew
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-519-4608
Email: marieka.andrew@gov.sk.ca