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Refuge & The Right To Vote

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This year is the centenary of the first women being granted the right to vote and 90 years since women won the equal right to vote. Women felt they should have the right to vote for many reasons, particularly because they had to pay taxes and abide by the law, just as men did. They believed they had an equal right to influence Parliament and government by voting.

At present it is estimated that there are approximately 12,000 women living in refuges at any one time in the UK. However only around 2,300 of these registered a vote, due to there being no right to vote anonymously and the remaining women not registered to vote do not want their details revealed on the electoral roll.

Domestic Abuse Survivor Mehala Osborne started a petition two years ago to give refuge managers the power to sign the anonymous registration form needed for a Domestic Abuse Survivor to register to vote anonymously.

Mehala started the petition because she couldn’t register to vote whilst living in a safe house. She was unable to register to vote for fear her address would be made public and that her abuser could find her and her children and subject them to further harm.

Mehala’s petition, supported by Women’s Aid, gained over 22,000 signatures. On 7th February 2018 draft legislation was debated in parliament to propose to make it easier for those in safe houses to exercise their democratic rights.

On 7th February 2018 Chloe Smith writing for The Independent states ‘With input from survivors such as Mehala, organisations supporting domestic abuse survivors, the Electoral Commission and Electoral Administrators, the government has proposed changes to the law that make it easier to vote anonymously.’

Provided the proposed changes to the law are passed by the government, survivors will be able to get a signature from refuge managers, medical practitioners, nurses or midwives, which certify their safety is at risk, meaning they are able to vote anonymously. Police officers could also sign the form, but these changes also support domestic abuse survivors who, for whatever reason, do not want to engage with the Criminal Justice System.

The proposed change to Election Law, if passed, means that people will be able to vote without putting themselves and their children at risk of harm by releasing their address.

It may be only a small change but will make for a significant difference to may survivors of domestic abuse if it comes into effect. This will mean freedom to live life, cast a vote and make a choice.

If you or anyone you know is being or has been subjected to coercive control or any other form of domestic violence and abuse, or the perpetrator has made an application in the family courts and you have to attend, don’t delay, contact the Domestic Violence and Abuse Department (DVAD) at Emery Johnson Astills, either by phoning 0116 255 4855, or by emailing DVAD@johnsonastills.com.

A specially trained member of staff in the DVAD of Emery Johnson Astills will be able to provide advice as to what steps you can take to protect yourself and also whether you may be eligible for Legal Aid.