Petition · Ministry of Justice
Strengthen self-defence rights for adults who intervene to protect children
Open for signatures
56 signatures
What the petition asks
We call on the Government to amend self-defence law to give explicit statutory protection to any adult who reasonably and proportionately intervenes to protect a child from immediate assault, sexual assault, or grooming.
We would like:
- Rebuttable presumption that force used to defend a child was reasonable.
- Immunity from “excessive force” charges when honestly believing a child was in imminent danger and acting in good faith.
We believe that too many hesitate, fearing arrest. We think this could remove that fear and encourage intervention, while keeping force proportionate.
- Rebuttable presumption that force used to defend a child was reasonable.
- Immunity from “excessive force” charges when honestly believing a child was in imminent danger and acting in good faith.
We believe that too many hesitate, fearing arrest. We think this could remove that fear and encourage intervention, while keeping force proportionate.
Timeline
| 10 Mar 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
56
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
10 Mar 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.