Petition · Ministry of Justice

Change the law to allow under 16's to be recognised as victims of domestic abuse

Closed 168 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the government to amend the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 so children under 16 who experience abuse at the hands of a parent or partner can be legally recognised as victims of domestic abuse. Every child affected deserves to be heard, protected, and supported in law and through services.
Children under 16 who directly experience domestic abuse at the hands of a parent or partner are not legally recognised as victims of domestic abuse under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The law currently defines that someone is a victim of domestic abuse when both parties involved are aged 16 or over, which we believe leaves younger children’s trauma dismissed as merely emotional abuse. Every child affected by domestic abuse deserves to be heard, protected, and supported through law and services.

Timeline

9 Jan 2026 Petition opened for signatures
9 Jul 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 168
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 9 Jan 2026
Closed 9 Jul 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 9 Aug 2026.