Petition · Ministry of Justice
Reform bail, sentencing and sex offender registration for child sexual offences
Open for signatures
70 signatures
What the petition asks
Amend the Bail Act 1976 and PACE 1984 to create a presumption against bail for suspects of child sexual offences. Review sentencing guidelines to significantly increase custodial sentences. Amend the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to require a minimum 25-year sex offender registration period.
Child sexual offences cause lifelong harm to victims. Current bail and sentencing laws allow offenders to reoffend and serve sentences that do not reflect the severity of their crimes. Stronger bail restrictions, longer sentences, and extended registration protect children and the public.
Timeline
| 6 Feb 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
70
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
6 Feb 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.