SEX OFFENDER NAME CHANGE BAN

PRESS STATEMENT

For many, this may feel like just another update on sex offender name change, but for The Safeguarding Alliance team and Survivor Ambassador, this is not just a campaign. Della’s Law is about justice, accountability, and the protection of those vulnerable.

For over seven years, we have fought to expose and close this dangerous legal loophole, one that has allowed an unknown number of registered sex offenders to change their names, evade detection, and in many cases, continue to offend.

This has been a long and difficult journey. During years of inaction, many lives have been harmed, and trust in a system meant to protect the vulnerable has been lost.

Since we first raised the alarm, we have seen four different Prime Ministers, multiple Home Secretaries, and a revolving door of Safeguarding Ministers. We have lived through announcements, celebrated progress, only for a general election to be called, resetting everything, and forcing us to start again. Yet despite the setbacks, we have never given up.

At times, even safeguarding professionals dismissed our findings, claiming the loophole didn’t exist, it wasn’t an issue, or that raising concerns was unnecessary and scaremongering. But we refused to stay silent. Not to create fear, but to expose a serious failure that has put lives at risk and will continue to do so until the law is changed.

Survivors, like our Survivor Ambassador Della Wright, have spoken out to ensure those in power could no longer ignore this issue.

We are especially grateful to Sarah Champion MP, who has stood alongside survivors and fought to keep this issue in the spotlight. Her commitment and determination have been critical in making sure this loophole is finally being addressed.

Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but this cannot be a tick-box exercise. The new legislation must provide real, enforceable protection. Anything less would be a betrayal of survivors who have already suffered enough.

This loophole should never have existed in the first place. The issue of name changes was highlighted over 20 years ago in the Bichard Inquiry. Yet it has taken decades of knowing and years of The Safeguarding Alliance campaigning for action even to be considered. This was never an issue that should have required a campaign. It was obvious. It should have been fixed long ago.

We will closely examine the details of this legislation to make sure it delivers the strongest possible protections for victims and survivors. This reform is long overdue, and we will continue working to ensure failures like this do not happen again.

This is not over. Della’s Law means justice for every survivor who has been affected by this loophole. The Safeguarding Alliance will not stop until this loophole is closed permanently.

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: media@thesafeguardingalliance.org.uk