A DOMESTIC abuse victim is backing a new scheme starting today which will give women and men the chance to find out if their partner has a history of domestic violence.

The woman, who was too afraid to be named, said it would give potential victims more information and the opportunity to get out of the relationship if they want to.

The mother-of-five was beaten when pregnant, attacked in her home and harassed by her former partner who was eventually jailed for his crimes.

Only afterwards did she discover he had a string of previous convictions for violent offences, including attacking an earlier girlfriend.

She said: "If someone had laid that out in front of me I would have run a mile. There’s no way I would have let him into my children’s lives.

"I look back now at all the things I put up with and can’t understand how I stayed so long, you don’t see it yourself, but someone else could and that’s why this scheme is good. I would urge anyone who is concerned about someone to use it."

Police forces in Gwent, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire will run a 12-month trial of the scheme dubbed 'Clare's Law', which will be monitored, from September.

It will test methods used by police to help victims or potential victims of domestic violence by disclosing information about previous violent offending by their partner.

Police will take immediate action when they believe someone is at risk of harm, and counselling and alternative accommodation can be offered in partnership with social services and Women’s Aid to people who want to escape a relationship.

Calls for the scheme were prompted by the 2009 murder of Clare Wood who was killed her former partner, who had previous convictions for harassment, threats to kill and kidnap. Following her death, Miss Wood's father, Michael Brown, started the campaign for 'Clare's Law' to be introduced.

Gwent Detective Chief Inspector Roger Fortey, who is leading the project, said the force was proud to be involved in the pilot.

He said: "It’s a very emotive subject and one where we feel passionate about what we have to do to make people safe, and we really look forward to the results.

"We must do anything we possibly can to reduce the number of domestic homicides and this is a positive step forward."

An application for information can be made by a partner, or others including family members, friends or a neighbour by calling 101, visiting a police station, or talking to an officer on the street.

But disclosure, where requested by a third party may not always be provided to them, and will instead be given to the potential victim or someone who can protect them from harm.

Partners will only be told an application has been made for information about them in circumstances where it helps them come to terms with their crimes and could prevent them from re-offending.

In the first 24 hours of an application being made police will look at potential risks and will take immediate action if they believe someone is in danger.

If not in immediate danger the potential victim will be interviewed before a panel will meet to decide if disclosure should be allowed. The whole process should be completed within 35 days.

Disclosure can only be given about crimes relating to domestic abuse, other crimes will only be disclosed to the applicant if police believe they might still be at risk.