Reform child protection and increase sentences for serious offences

Rejected 11 signatures

What the petition asks

Every child deserves to be safe. We believe stronger safeguarding, improved oversight and tougher sentencing for the most serious crimes against children are needed to prevent future tragedies and restore public confidence in child protection.

Tragic child abuse cases have highlighted weaknesses in safeguarding. We urge the Government to strengthen vetting, monitoring and accountability in adoption and foster care, and ensure the most serious crimes against children receive the toughest sentences available. UK inquiries into grooming gangs and child sexual exploitation cases have highlighted repeated failures in safeguarding, reporting and agency response. It’s time to act today, not tomorrow for future generations.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign this petition, which calls for similar action: "Review and improve safeguarding for children before and after adoption" Review and improve safeguarding for children before and after adoption

We can also only accept petitions about things the Government or Parliament are directly responsible for. Sentencing decisions are a matter for the courts.

Timeline

27 Jun 2026	Petition opened for signatures
23 Jul 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 11

Status Rejected

Rejected 23 Jul 2026

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