Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice

Increase sentences for abuse, neglect and murder of a child

Closed 267 signatures

What the petition asks

We wish for the Government to introduce into law:

- a statutory full life sentence without parole for the death of a child through mistreatment, abuse or neglect
- a min 20 year sentence for the abuse and neglect of a minor not resulting in death, with the automatic removal of parental responsibility and a life ban on working with children.

The current laws are far too lenient, death by deliberate mistreatment should result in greater penalties than manslaughter, when the intention was to cause the child harm with intent. Murderers of children should not be permitted parole, as the future of other children would be at stake, and we believe this level of evil cannot be rehabilitated.

Timeline

9 Dec 2021 Petition opened for signatures
9 Jun 2022 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 267
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 9 Dec 2021
Closed 9 Jun 2022

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