Della’s Law
Campaigners are calling for legal reform to close a safeguarding loophole that allows registered sex offenders in the UK to change their names
Under current rules, individuals convicted of sexual offences - including those on the Sex Offenders Register - can legally change their name. In some cases, that new name can then be used across parts of everyday life.
Campaigners behind Della’s Law say this creates a serious safeguarding gap.
Many organisations rely on name-based background checks, including those carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service. If someone changes their name, those checks may not always reveal previous convictions, potentially allowing individuals to present themselves under a new identity without their history being immediately visible.
Supporters argue that this loophole undermines key safeguarding measures such as Sarah’s Law and Clare’s Law, both designed to help people access information about individuals who may pose a risk.
The campaign has been led in part by survivor advocate Della Wright and organisations including The Safeguarding Alliance.
For more than seven years, campaigners say they have been pushing for the loophole to be recognised and addressed. The issue itself is not new - concerns about name changes and safeguarding were raised more than two decades ago during the Bichard Inquiry.
Advocates argue that preventing offenders from concealing their identities through name changes is essential to ensuring that systems function properly.
For survivors and families who have raised the issue for years, the campaign is ultimately about accountability - and restoring trust in systems meant to protect the public.
'Della's story is tragic, shocking and heart-breaking, but she must be heard. Della is an inspirational and dedicated campaigner who I've been proud to support. Her book eloquently portrays her past vulnerability and her steadfast determination to help others. A must read' Sarah Champion, MP
'I'd been the unwanted child, the little girl who got in the way. I swore I'd put my abuser behind bars and I'd fight with every breath in my body against the life sentence he'd given me. This was my time.'
Click the image to find out more and purchase Della’s book.
