Government considers domestic violence register

A register of the names and addresses of every person convicted of assaulting their wife or partner is under consideration by ministers.

The domestic violence register would be similar to one set up by the police to monitor sex offenders. Convicted wife batterers would have to inform police officers every time they changed address – or face prosecution. Employers would also have access to the register.

The Association of Chief Police Officers said a register was crucial in stopping "serial" domestic violence offences. Domestic violence accounts for 25 per cent of all violent crime. Research by the Metropolitan police shows perpetrators are often involved in other serious crime such as robbery.

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, said last month that he would publish proposals to reform the law on domestic violence in spring 2003. Judges have been criticised for beinglenient on men convicted of assaults on their wives or girlfriends. Harriet Harman, the Solicitor General, has sent at least three cases of murder and manslaughter to the court of appeal on the grounds that the sentences were too lenient. She has urged the Government to introduce restraining orders in addition to custody to prevent abusers returning to harass partners after leaving jail.

A senior Government source said that Mr Blunkett was determined to ensure domestic violence is treated as a "serious offence" by judges, and the register was one idea being considered. Multi-agency protection panels could use the register to draw up a risk assessment of vulnerable women.

Margaret Moran, MP for Luton South, and chairwoman of the All Party Group on Domestic Violence, said they had been "pushing very heavily" for the register.