Petition · Ministry of Justice
Introduce minimum sentence of 5 years for sexual offences and ban appeals
Closed
39 signatures
What the petition asks
Require that anyone who commits an offence relating anything sexual, including photos, gets an automatic prison sentence of a minimum of 5 years if found guilty. There should be no right to appeal.
Victims of sexual offences often don’t ever get over what’s happened to them and it does ruin lives. They have to live with it for the rest of their lives.
Children are supposed to be protected by adults. Child victims have no choice and this can cause serious, life-changing trauma.
Children are supposed to be protected by adults. Child victims have no choice and this can cause serious, life-changing trauma.
Timeline
| 20 Nov 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 May 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
39
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
20 Nov 2025
Closed
20 May 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 22 Aug 2026.