From next month, survivors of violence and domestic abuse will no longer have to pay over £300 to ensure their abuser cannot track them down via public records
Ministers have today confirmed plans to scrap the Person at Risk of Violence Order fee. The move means from November, vulnerable people involved in debt proceedings will no longer have to pay £318 to have their personal details – including name and address – removed from the Insolvency Register and the official public record, the Gazette.
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For women fleeing domestic abuse, having the peace of mind that their abuser can’t search public records to find their new address is invaluable – yet the steep cost is a barrier to many.
Today’s announcement will mean this cost will no longer be an obstacle to their safety.
The abolition of this unnecessary fee is the latest measure in the Government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade – and a key part of the Plan for Change to protect victims and restore faith in the justice system.
Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC, said:
The move builds on the actions the government has already taken to meet its commitment to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade.
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These include a National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection; Raneem’s Law which embeds domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms in the first five police forces to improve the police response to domestic abuse; and the rollout of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders - the strongest order of its kind yet to protect victims from perpetrators.
Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse said:
Adam Rolfe, Policy and Public Affairs Officer at Money Wellness, said:
ENDS
Further Information
o Nearly £20 million in funding for specialist VAWG services which support victims of abuse including a range of vital helplines.
o A new criminal offence for spiking and new spiking training for thousands of pub, club and bar staff to ensure they have the skills to support victims and prevent incidents.
o New measures to tackle stalking, including giving police guidance on a victim’s right to know the identity of online stalkers for the first time and widening the use of Stalking Protection Orders.
o The roll out of The Drive Project across England and Wales which, backed by £53 million, will target high-harm, high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators – taking the responsibility for the abuse away from the victim and putting it firmly on the perpetrator where it belongs.
o Criminalising pornography that depicts acts of strangulation through the Crime and Policing Bill.