Sign in
☰
People MPsHouse of LordsGovernmentOppositionPartiesCommittees Votes Commons votesLords votesVotes by issueTopicsStats & rankingsParliament in numbers Legislation BillsEarly day motionsPetitions Elections Election resultsConstituenciesWho is my MP? Scotland OverviewMSPsScottish GovernmentVotesBillsMotionsCommitteesConstituencies & regionsElections Search Sign in

Petition · past parliament

Make all sexual abuse offences exceptions under the double jeopardy rules

Closed 4,779 signatures

What the petition asks

Many victims will never be able to obtain justice or closure from the criminal courts as the law currently stands as their charges are not deemed "serious" or "severe" enough to be an exception to the double jeopardy rules.
My view is that any form of child abuse is serious and that those who sexually assault children should face criminal repercussions for these heinous acts, regardless of the time that has passed and that they should not be able to hide behind a legal technicality.

Timeline

2 Jul 2019 Petition opened for signatures
6 Nov 2019 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 4,779
Status Closed
Opened 2 Jul 2019
Closed 6 Nov 2019

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.