These strict requirements have deterred many from
registering at all – prompting a campaign by charities
and survivors to make it more accessible.
The Government’s changes will increase the number of
people who can act as witnesses, including medical and
healthcare professionals and refuge workers, and expand
the type of evidence which can be put forward.
, Minister for the
Constitution, said:
Ensuring every eligible person is able to vote is a
matter of social justice. Every voice matters and this
Government will continue to encourage our record levels
of democratic participation by ensuring we have a
democracy that works for everyone.
Women’s Aid estimates that up to 12,000 women are
receiving support in their refuges at any one time.
The changes are expected to be of particular benefit to
these women or those who have left a refuge but continue
to be in hiding from their perpetrators.
Welcoming the move, Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of
Women’s Aid, said:
The changes announced today will help survivors of
domestic abuse to regain their voices. For too long
these women have been silenced because it was too
dangerous for them to sign up to an electoral register,
which would reveal their location, and too difficult
for them to register anonymously.
We are proud to have worked in partnership with the
courageous Mehala Osborne and other partners to bring
this issue onto the political agenda. We also want to
thank the Government for their decisive action on this.
The new measures send out a clear message to all
survivors of domestic abuse: that their voices matter,
and their right to vote should never be taken away.
To complement the legislative changes, the Cabinet Office
will launch further research to identify and explain
other barriers to electoral registration faced by
survivors of domestic abuse. This research will be
critical in shaping new policies, projects and future
engagement.
It forms part of ongoing work across Government to tackle
domestic violence and abuse and violence against women
and girls.
, Minister for Crime,
Safeguarding and Vulnerability said:
Domestic abuse has a devastating and often lifelong
impact on victims, their children, family and friends.
These changes come at a time when the Government is
bringing forward a landmark Domestic Violence and Abuse
Bill which will protect and support victims, recognise
the devastating impact domestic abuse can have on young
people, and ensure agencies respond effectively.
