A domestic abuse survivor has been granted permission by the Supreme Court to appeal the right to sue Sussex police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after her new address was revealed to her abuser during a court hearing.
The woman, known as XGY for legal reasons, brought a claim against both parties, after a barrister disclosed her address in front of her violent ex-partner during a magistrates’ court bail hearing in April 2020, The Times reported on Monday.
XGY had reported her former partner to Sussex police back in 2019 following the end of their relationship, alleging he was physically and mentally abusive and made threats against her family.
She had to move “several times” after the relationship ended, before settling in Hampshire and court documents noted that she provided her new address to Sussex police under the impression it would remain confidential.
Due her to new address being disclosed to her abusive ex partner, who was later jailed for six months following a conviction of six counts of common assault against her, she was then forced to move again.
XGY’s claim against both Sussex police and the CPS was thrown out by a county court judge, after it was argued that both organisations were “protected from legal action” due to the address being disclosed during a court hearing.
This decision was overturned by a High Court judge in 2024, however, the Court of Appeal ruled the victim still could not sue either organisation as they were “protected by legal immunity”.
In the latest turn of events, the Supreme Court granted XGY permission to appeal that decision, which was heard on Wednesday and Thursday.
This appeal sits on the backdrop of the Labour government’s recent £14 million funding pledge to help initiatives across the country focused on tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Commenting on the funding when it was announced, first secretary of state Louise Haigh said: “Violence against women and girls is a stain on our society and this government is committed to halving it within a decade.
“We are backing local projects to deliver real change, ensuring new ideas are properly funded and tested to tackle abuse at its root.
“This is how we put safety back in the hands of local communities, ensuring every woman and girl can live free from fear in their homes, in public spaces and online.”
