No one experiencing abuse should be legally required to stay married. It’s time the UK government recognised that.

Under current UK law, even if a person is experiencing domestic abuse, including physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional coercion, or psychological control they are still required to remain legally married for a full year from the wedding date before they are allowed to file for divorce.

And once they finally can file, there is a further 20-week mandatory “reflection period”, during which both parties are expected to pause and reconsider, as though domestic abuse can be resolved with time and contemplation.

This legal structure is outdated, unsafe, and deeply traumatising.

Why should anyone be forced to stay married to someone who has abused them physically, emotionally, or sexually just because 12 months haven’t passed since the wedding date?

Why must abuse survivors endure an additional 20-week waiting period, once they’ve already made the brave decision to leave?

I'm calling on the UK Government and Ministry of Justice to:

Remove the requirement that couples must be married for at least one year before they can file for divorce in cases where domestic abuse has occurred.

Waive the 20-week “cooling-off” period for abuse survivors, recognising that no one needs time to reflect on whether they want to stay with someone who has harmed them.

Introduce a fast-track, trauma-informed divorce process for survivors of abuse, with built-in safeguards and access to emotional and legal support.

The current system prioritises “process” over protection. It treats every divorce as equal when in reality, abuse survivors are in a completely different category and need urgent, compassionate intervention.

Abuse survivors shouldn’t be forced to wait. They should simply be able to leave safely, quickly, and with dignity. 

Please sign and share this petition. The law must change.