This week it was announced that a pilot scheme to protect women from domestic violence by a partner will be extended nationwide.

Clare’s Law was trialled for 12 months from September 2012 to allow women to check police records to see if a partner has a violent past.

It was named after Clare Wood, 36, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton at her home in Salford in February 2009.

The mother-of-one had met Appleton on Facebook, unaware of his history of violence against women including repeated harassment, threats and the knifepoint kidnapping of another ex-girlfriend.

The law is expected to take effect from March.

Clare’s Law will provide information, enabling people to make informed decisions about their relationship and whether they need to get out of it.

Since the start of the Home Office-led pilot in Wiltshire in July 2011, a total of 246 Domestic Violence Protection Orders have been applied for in court, with 208 of those granted.

Wiltshire Police revealed that a total of 118 applications for disclosure have been made, with 22 disclosures having been granted. These include 39 Right to Ask and 79 Right to Know applications.

Wiltshire Police was one of three police force areas – along with Greater Manchester and West Mercia – to trial the scheme, ensuring that perpetrators of domestic violence are banned from molesting a victim, or going near their home, for up to 28 days.

Home Secretary Theresa May said there was “considerable confusion” about when or if police can share information on someone’s violent past with the public.

In a written ministerial statement, she said: “I am determined to see reductions in domestic violence and abuse, and the Government’s updated Violence against Women and Girls Action Plan sets out our approach for achieving that.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that the police and other agencies have the tools necessary to tackle domestic violence, to bring offenders to justice, and ensure victims have the support they need to rebuild their lives.”

In Bradford, a young woman is taking her own stand against domestic violence, with a campaign aimed at stopping victims from suffering in silence.

Juwaria Mohammed, 21, wants to raise awareness about the damaging effects of abusive relationships and draw attention to the fact that the problem is prevalent in all communities.

Working with Fixers, a charity supporting young people aged 16 to 25, she hopes the campaign will encourage victims to seek support and help.

“I know people who have suffered through domestic violence and it’s time to do something about it,” said Juwaria. “It ruins families. There are many ways to combat anger and frustration, but being violent is not one of them.”

Juwaria’s posters each depict a different scenario showing victims taking a stand against their abusive partners.

“We created four different posters to show that the problem is not just limited to one group of people,” she says. “Domestic abuse happens in all communities and we all need to stand as one to stamp it out.”

Juwaria now hopes her posters will be displayed across the Bradford district, and is particularly keen for them to be used by the University of Bradford and local schools.

Working with young people across the UK, Fixers provides each ‘Fixer’ with resources to make their chosen project a success, including creative help from media professionals to make promotional material, such as films, websites or print work.

Fixers has so far supported more than 10,000 young people nationwide to have a voice in their community. With a £7.2 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund, the charity extended into Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland this year.

“Fixers started in 2008 as just an idea – an idea given a voice by some 10,000 young people over the past five years,” says chief executive Margo Horsley. “They have reached thousands of people with their work, on a national stage as well as in and around where they live.

“They choose the full array of social and health issues facing society today and set about making their mark. Fixers are always courageous and their ideas can be challenging and life-changing, not just for themselves.”

Young people have campaigned on issues such as cyber-bullying, self-harm and suicide. The charity aims to work with a further 20,000 young people over the next three years to help them tackle issues they feel strongly about.

l For more information, visit fixers.org.uk for more information.