Introduce the Hidden Harm Act to strengthen abuse safeguard

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Create specific statutory measures to recognise and address psychological and coercive abuse, improve early risk identification, ensure trauma-informed responses across services, and strengthen safeguarding to prevent escalation and serious harm.

Psychological and coercive abuse can cause profound and long-term harm, yet it is often minimised, misunderstood, or treated as a relationship dispute rather than a safeguarding issue. Victims may experience mental health deterioration, loss of employment, social isolation, and increased risk of serious harm. Clearer statutory recognition and joined-up professional guidance would improve early intervention, accountability, and prevention.

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

We're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do. We are not sure what specific measures you would like to be introduced, when they would apply, and how they would differ from current practice.

You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.

Timeline

4 Mar 2026	Petition opened for signatures
7 Apr 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 7 Apr 2026

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