AMs back Eve’s Law to protect domestic violence victims

A cross-party group of Assembly members is calling on the UK Government to introduce new legislation to protect victims of domestic violence.
Anti-violence campaigner Joyce Watson is urging AMs from all parties to sign her ‘Eve’s Law’ pledge, to pass a law allowing victims to keep secret their safe house addresses in court.
The Labour Mid and West AM has tabled the following Statement of Opinion:
This National Assembly for Wales:
• Recognises that victims of domestic violence and abuse are being put at risk of harm when forced to provide details of their safe house address in open court in unrelated court proceedings.
• Supports ‘Eve’s Law’ to address this dangerous anomaly in the Law, which may deter victims of domestic violence from reporting abuse.
• Urges the UK Government to introduce ‘Eve’s Law’
So far, fourteen members from four political parties have signed the pledge.
Eve’s Law is championed by Eve Thomas, who risked prison last year when she refused to reveal her hideaway address during court proceedings.
In a civil case, when Bolton County Court ruled that she owed money to a former friend and asked for her address, she withheld it, arguing that revealing her new residence would put her at risk of attack.
Ms Thomas was subjected to more than 20 years of abuse from her husband before she left him.
The matter was only settled after a friend paid the £1,000 debt.
UK Justice minister Damien Green has said he consider Ms Thomas’s proposals.