A drafting error at Westminster is threatening to disenfranchise Scottish women who are suffering domestic abuse, according to aid groups.
When the Electoral Administration Act 2006 was drawn up its provisions on anonymous electoral registration to protect abused women insisted on legal documentation that is only used in England and Wales, it is claimed in Holyrood magazine today.
The act specifies that the way an individual in Scotland can register anonymously to avoid being traced by an abusing partner is to obtain a non-harassment order, but the Scottish legal system usually makes use of interdicts and exclusion orders, which were not included in the wording of the legislation's accompanying circulars.
The magazine quotes Louise Johnson, of Scottish Women's Aid, as saying: "This matter is clearly concerning.
"The instructions and information in this circular excludes from obtaining the anonymous registration protection afforded to those in England and Wales, those women and young people who are experiencing domestic abuse who hold protective interdicts or exclusion orders."
She has already contacted the Electoral Commission and plans to ask the Scotland Office to take swift action.
"It is imperative the circular and accompanying application forms be amended without delay," she added.
Another aid worker said that collecting evidence for interdicts and exclusion orders was already a distressing process.
"It would seem at best unfair to add a further layer to this process when women are already experiencing extraordinarily challenging circumstances and uncertainty," the worker added.
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