Survivors of domestic abuse will find it easier to register to vote without exposing themselves to the risk of being tracked down by their attackers under government proposals announced on Friday.
Ministers plan to lower the bar people must clear in order to be allowed to register anonymously, the proposals said. The plans were welcomed by Women’s Aid, which said it would help survivors to participation in British democracy.
“The proposed new measures send out a clear message to all survivors of domestic abuse: that their voices matter, and their participation in politics matters,” said Polly Neate, the charity’s chief executive.
“Domestic abuse must not deny women their right to take part in democracy. So, we welcome the changes proposed today on anonymous registration.”
The proposals follow a campaign by Mehala Osborne, a domestic abuse survivor who called for women living in safe houses to be able to exercise the right to vote.
“I was denied a vote whilst living in a refuge and I never realised how much having a vote meant until it was taken away from me. I had already been through enough, and to be disempowered even more was so difficult,” she said.
“I am so proud to have started the campaign that has led to these proposed changes. Survivors in the future will not be denied their voice and democratic right to vote.”
Dawn Morville, another survivor, said she was unable to vote while she was living in a women’s refuge for fear of her abuser finding her. “If he had been able to find my address, there is no doubt he would have come after me. This would have put not only me but the other women in the refuge at risk,” she said.
She said the proposed changes would “empower survivors and give us back something that domestic abuse takes away: our right to have our say, and be heard, without being terrified that voting could mean our abuser comes after us”.
The current mechanism for people to register to vote anonymously requires survivors to provide court documents or get the approval of a senior police officer or director of social services. Campaigners have complained that the regulations do not take account of the complex nature of domestic abuse.
Under the proposals, more junior police officers and social service officials will be able to give that authorisation. The list of court and other orders which are acceptable as evidence will also be updated.
The planned changes could be used to help victims of harassment or stalking, as well as some witnesses in criminal court cases, the government said. They cover England and Wales and ministers have said they will work with their counterparts in Scotland.
Chris Skidmore, the Cabinet Office minister, who introduced the proposals, said: “Having met survivors of domestic abuse over the past six months, it is clear that the existing system has often let down those affected by domestic abuse. That is why today we are setting out proposals to reform the anonymous registration scheme in England and Wales to make it more accessible for those escaping domestic abuse.
“Protecting the safety of survivors by making it easier for them to register to vote without their name and address appearing on the electoral register is a key part of that change.”
