PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Call for Legal Reform to Protect Vulnerable Spouses in Long-Term Relationships
Extend legal recognition and rights to spouses in long-term relationships, regardless of whether they are married or in civil partnerships. Facilitate access to financial support for vulnerable spouses seeking to leave abusive environments. Implement measures that prevent economic abuse.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
7
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 7/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 7/100,000
Background
Currently, the law offers protection and recognition for those who are married or in civil partnerships, it fails to extend protections to individuals in long-term relationships who have no assets in their name. This leaves many vulnerable spouses trapped in abusive relationships, with little legal help or financial support.
Many spouses, often in emotionally or physically abusive relationships, find themselves unable to leave because they lack legal rights to shared/accumulated assets. Without this change, they are forced to remain in harmful environments simply because they have no means to support themselves or to leave safely.