Debt advice provider Money Wellness is calling for government change to make the public insolvency register private to protect survivors of abuse.
The calls for action follow the organisation’s campaign last year to abolish the Persons At Risk of Violence (PARV) order fee, which created a financial barrier for abuse survivors wanting to prevent their address from being published on the Individual Insolvency Register.
Following the success of the campaign, Money Wellness has since made further calls for the government to make the register private ahead of the wider Personal Insolvency Framework Review.
The move would survivors of abuse by default rather than them having to go through a court process to keep their address confidential.
An open letter from Money Wellness points out that ministers already have the power to make the change through secondary legislation and pushes for change to be made ahead of the wider review to provide immediate protection while reforms are developed.
The call is backed by a number of MPs, as well as national charities including Debt Advice Foundation, Trafford Domestic Abuse Services and Helen Pettifer Training, alongside Nationwide.
Highlighting the issue, Money Wellness shared the story of Sarah, a mum-of-one who sought debt help through an insolvency solution after leaving an abusive relationship of several years and amounting £14,000 worth of debt.
While exploring an insolvency solution, Sarah discovered her new address could be published on the public register leaving her fearful of her former partner locating this information.
She was forced to apply for a PARV order and navigate the complex legal process.
However, due to delays in the process she was prevented from moving forward with her insolvency solution and in turn addressing her mounting debts.
Money Wellness said her experience “highlights why survivors should not have to prove and relive their abuse through a court process”.
Adam Rolfe, policy and public affairs officer at Money Wellness, said: “We got the fee scrapped, and the government deserves credit for that.
“But removing the fee does not remove the obstacle. We are still asking people who have fled violence to write down what their abuser did to them, provide evidence of it and potentially say it in front of a court, simply to stop their address appearing on a public register.
“And we’re not doing this on our own. Domestic abuse charities, debt advice organisations, major creditors, and MPs from four different parties have all been hugely supportive and have put their names to this letter, and that tells you how important this change is.
“Making the register private is the next logical step. It would protect survivors by default and remove the need for a court process altogether. Survivors should not have to fight for their privacy and safety.”
