Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice

Prevent rapists from having parental responsibility

Closed 68 signatures

What the petition asks

Change the law on parental responsibility so that rapists cannot have parental responsibility in respect of any children, especially the children of their victim or victims. This should apply if someone is convicted of rape, or where a family court finds that rape has taken place.
We believe family law regarding parental responsibility in the UK is a disgrace. A rapist shouldn’t ever have parental responsibility for children especially when they’ve raped that child’s mother (or parent). Allowing rapists parental responsibility to the victim's child can cause ongoing trauma to the rape victims. It doesn’t allow victims to heal and move on. Victims can fear for themselves and their child the rest of their lives.

Timeline

21 Oct 2022 Petition opened for signatures
21 Apr 2023 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 68
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 21 Oct 2022
Closed 21 Apr 2023

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