Carl Sargeant AM gives backing to groundbreaking ‘Eve`s Law’

Eve’s Law aims to allow people who have fled dangerous and violent home situations to keep their new, safe addresses and other personal information private in court and other public hearings, as well as legal documents.

Eve Thomas CEO/Founder of OneVoice Never Silenced. Victims champion and advocate and leading a national victims campaign for Eves Law

 The campaign was founded by domestic violence victim Eve Thomas, who escaped a violent relationship – only to have her ex-partner track her down when her new address was disclosed on a restraining order she was forced to make against him. She was also almost sent to prison for contempt of court after refusing to disclose her address at a later, unrelated court case for fear her ex-partner would track her down.

It is hoped Eve’s Law will work in conjunction with current systems including Claire’s Law, which allows people to check if their partner has a history of domestic abuse.

It was discussed in Parliament last year and the UK Government has said it will ‘happily consider’ the proposals.

Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant, a leading campaigner for protection for domestic abuse victims in Wales, said:

“It is unthinkable that this simple legislation to keep vulnerable people safe is not already in place and I hope it will soon become law.

“It takes a huge amount of courage for those who have suffered long periods of domestic abuse to finally break free from their situation and everything possible should be done to afford them the protection they so desperately need.

“This could be the difference between life and death or serious injury for many people and I would urge the Ministry of Justice to give a positive response as quickly as possible.”