Parents who emotionally abuse their children could face prosecution for the first time under a new “Cinderella Law”.
Starving offspring of love and affection could lead to up to 10 years in prison in a move to be unveiled in the Queen’s Speech in early June.
Currently, the law on child neglect, which affects as many as one in ten children, covers physical harm only.
Under the new proposals, anything that intentionally harmed a child’s “physical intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development” would be a crime.
Offences could include deliberately ignoring a child, damaging their emotional growth by not showing them any love and forcing them to see domestic violence.
Police would be able to intervene earlier before children suffer physical or sexual abuse, it is hoped.
The charity Action for Children said reform of “Victorian” child neglect laws “will change lives”.
Sir Tony Hawkhead, the charity’s chief executive, said: “I’ve met children who have been scapegoated in their families, constantly humiliated and made to feel unloved.
“The impact is devastating and can lead to lifelong mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide.
“We are one of the last countries in the West to recognise all forms of child abuse as a crime.”
The campaign was spearheaded by MPs across the political spectrum, including the late Labour MP Paul Goggins as well as the Lib Dems’ Mark Williams.
Tory MP Robert Buckland, who is a part-time judge, also believes “the time for change is long overdue”.
He said: “Not too many years after the Brothers Grimm popularised the story of Cinderella, the offence of child neglect was introduced.
“Our criminal law has never reflected the full range of emotional suffering experienced by children who are abused by their parents or carers.
“The sad truth is that, until now, the Wicked Stepmother would have got away scot-free.”
Damian Green, minister for police and criminal justice, began gathering evidence to support the change last Autumn.
A department spokesman said: “The Government believes protecting children from harm is fundamental and that child cruelty is an abhorrent crime which should be punished.
“Every child should be able to grow up in a safe environment.
“We are considering ways the law can support this.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/parents-who-emotionally-abuse-children-3303555#ixzz2xYS1ZnuK
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What about the deliberate, calculated, destruction of chlidren in the government schools? Nothing wrong with teaching children perversion, abortion, birth control, homosexual intercourse, transgenderism, gay and lesbian socialism?? This is most assuredly detrimental to any child’s “physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development”
How about holding the schools accountable and to the same standards? Oh, I see, It’s Ok so long as the govt destroys the children, right?
You’re learning! lol
Sad, isn’t it?
Ed K, you make a very good point and I agree with you. In reference to the article about someone serving prison time for emotionally abusing children, I have to think that one through. I have mixed feeling about that and I know it’s because I suffered emotional abuse from my mother as a child and even as an adult. I rarely even speak to her, I know it’s horrible especially since she is nearly 89 years old, but I just don’t know how she will react, sometimes she can be pleasant. Perhaps I am a coward but I am grateful for my husband’s support throughout the 40 years of our marriage. Emotional abuse is not easy to shake, it never really goes away, but I do have so much in my life to be grateful for.
Yep, if it’s one of the little people they get jail time, but if it’s one of the criminal psychopathic elites that is SOP (children of elites are brought up by nannies and servants), and God forbid a CPE does anything with a child but rape, molest, and torture him or her, then sacrifice him or her to their god Satan.
Who defines what is “emotional” abuse? Is it yelling at your child for misbehaving? Is it refusing them tv, computer, cell phone, playstation time? Is it lecturing them? Can some stranger in a store call in and report you because you talked sternly to your child for running around the store and disrupting others? This is a ginormous can of worms, ready and ripe for trapping people, taking their children away and getting them in the system.
Man, there are so many ridiculuous laws being made nowadays, that I can’t even keep track of them, whether it be in the US, UK or some other country. Eventually we’ll all be facing 10 years in prison for just getting up out of bed without a permit. Hell, some places of employment (like my previous job in Austin,TX) are even telling people when they can and cannot go to the bathroom, regardless of it being an emergency or not. Insane! Glad to be out of that place.
“Offences could include….forcing them to see domestic violence.”
Umm…doesn’t the mainstream media already do all of that to the child?
Look for this draconian measure to be implemented here next.
TOTAL control IS the goal.