Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice

Allow children to be taken abroad without needing consent of abusive ex-partners

Closed 44 signatures

What the petition asks

It should be made so that an individual, who has an ex-partner who has been found to be abusive, can take their child abroad without the consent of the person that abused them. Currently, if the abuser has parental responsibility (eg. they're on the birth certificate), their consent is needed.
The Government needs to do this, to stop the continued coercive control an abuser can exert over their victim, through using the child as a weapon. An individual is free to leave their abuser but is dependent on a signed document from said abuser in order to take their child abroad. This is wrong and the law is flawed.
Abusers should not be able to continue their abuse of their victim through a child. As long as there's a clear return date from the holiday, no permission should be needed.

Timeline

23 Jun 2023 Petition opened for signatures
23 Dec 2023 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 44
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 23 Jun 2023
Closed 23 Dec 2023

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.