Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice
Make Emotional and Psychological Abuse of Children a Specific criminal Offence
Closed
842 signatures
What the petition asks
We the undersigned believe that more must be done to prevent the maltreatment of children, defined by unacceptable levels of behaviours and actions towards children by a parent, care provider or trusted adult, resulting in long term detrimental, devastating effects to both child and their loved ones
Every child deserves the right to justice, protection by laws and understanding that the behaviour of the offender is wrong no matter the level, not that their behaviour must be unacceptable to justify such suffering.
Non involved child abandonment, manipulation, non communication, lack of feeling loved are but a few examples of this type of abuse, yet currently not a separate offence. Emotional abuse was the only form of abuse to see an increase in Childline counselling sessions from the previous year (ONS report 2019)
Non involved child abandonment, manipulation, non communication, lack of feeling loved are but a few examples of this type of abuse, yet currently not a separate offence. Emotional abuse was the only form of abuse to see an increase in Childline counselling sessions from the previous year (ONS report 2019)
Timeline
| 31 Dec 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 Jun 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
842
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
31 Dec 2020
Closed
30 Jun 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.