Wife Beater Registry Gives Women “Right To Know”

If someone you just started dating had a history of domestic violence, would you want to know? More importantly, do you have a right to know?

Legislation called Clare’s Law or the “right to know” would give women this right. They would be able to go to the police and ask about a partner’s violent history.

The law is named after Clare Wood, a woman who was brutally murdered by her boyfriend. This man had a history of domestic violence with previous partners, but Wood did not know. Men who abuse their partners rarely do it once. More often they are repeat offenders who continue to bring violence into their relationships.

This trend makes Clare’s Law important. Women do have a right to know if they are at risk so they can make an informed decision about dating someone. Sex offenders are forced to register themselves as such, and this Hallowe’en are even banned from giving out candy in some places. Physical abuse should be taken just as seriously.

But the issue is a complicated one. While women should have the right to know, men should also have some right to privacy. Domestic violence is a serious crime, but men also have the right to learn from their mistakes. Should violence in a past relationship follow someone for the rest of their lives? It’s a tough decision, and one I am glad I don’t have to make.

Clare’s Law would provide women with information they could use to protect themselves. The “right to know” is an important one, but this legislation also needs to take criminal rights into account. If we grant women a right while taking away someone else’s, we’re not making progress.

Contact the author here: jennY@morningquickie.com