In a recent ruling, the Government agreed an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, which prevents registered sex offenders from officially changing their names. Registered sex offenders were previously able to alter official documents such as a passport or driving licence with new names that had been changed via deed poll.
Between 2019 and 2021, over 700 registered sex offenders went missing from police record. Prior to the amendment in legislation, registered sex offenders were able to change their name as long as they notified the police of the change. While nearly 1,500 registered sex offenders did report their name changes to the police, more than 700 did not and used their new anonymity to disappear.
A Safeguarding Campaign to Ensure the Safety of Abuse Survivors
The Safeguarding Alliance, a campaign group designed to protect vulnerable people of all ages, have spent years lobbying for this revision to the law, stating:
“...key legislation is being undermined and rendered redundant due to a loophole that registered offenders are aware of and are using to slip through the cracks.”
In a bid to encourage The Government to make amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill, survivors of abuse took a stand by sharing their heart-wrenching stories. For some this meant reliving their horrific trauma in order to protect those who may suffer the same abuse in the future.
A statement from The Safeguarding Alliance released shortly after the change to the bill was announced said:
“We welcome the news that legislation is being brought forward […] to prevent sex offenders exploiting this legal loophole.”
Whistleblowing and Determination Expose the Flaw in the Law on Registered Sex Offenders
A major force behind the law change was Della Wright, an abuse survivor. She was so embroiled in the campaign that the new law has been dubbed Della’s Law by some. As a child, Ms wright suffered sexual abuse, so it’s understandable that this cause is close to her heart. After discovering that her abuser repeatedly changed his name by deed poll, she felt duty bound to push The Government for change.
Labour MP, Sarah Champion, was also pivotal in lobbying for the change in the law to remove the loophole used by registered sex offenders. Ms Champion stated that allowing registered sex offenders to change their name to avoid detection:
“...makes a mockery of all the name-based safeguarding schemes, such as Clare’s Law (the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) when all you need to do to avoid detection is change your name.”
Della Wright was also acknowledged in Sarah Champion’s statement as a key factor in the much-needed law change.
A Triumphant Step in the Right Direction for Survivors
Abuse survivors deserve to be heard, and registered sex offenders must face justice. The amendment to the law provides validation to them and acknowledges their suffering.
The Government-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICA) allows survivors of abuse, as victims of violent crime to seek some degree of redress.
To contact a specialist in dealing with criminal injury claims at Winston Solicitors either call us on 0113 320 5000 or email cica@winstonsolicitors.co.uk
