The charity’s report 'Keeping Children Safe: The case for reforming the law on child neglect', spearheads a new campaign urging the Government to reform the current law on child neglect to ensure that children are protected, parents are supported rather than criminalised, and neglect is prevented.
According to Action for Children, the number of people in England and Wales convicted of cruelty to or neglect of children has nearly tripled in ten years, rising from 774 people in 2001 to 2,172 in 2010.
However, the charity claims that the legal definition of child abuse or neglect, defined by law as an individual event such as an injury rather than cumulative harm, is too narrow and outdated as it fails to take into account all forms of neglect. The current law on child neglect was passed in 1933.
A survey of 1,092 parents by the charity also revealed that many find the current law confusing and it leaves them feeling unclear about their responsibilities towards children.
When asked what would help parents to meet their responsibilities, two-thirds agreed that a clear law is needed which can be understood by all.
Action for Children is now urging the Government to commit to a review of the law on neglect during this Parliament.
The charity is also calling for:
- a new law that includes a definition of neglect which fully reflects the reality of neglect and the harm it causes a child;
- a law that gives clarity and guidance to parents and the general public;
- appropriate sentencing guidance to allow for interventions such as rehabilitation and parenting support,while retaining the ability to send people to prison for the most malicious, intentional neglect.
Dame Claire Tickell, chief executive of Action for Children, said, ‘Neglect is the most common form of child abuse affecting children in the UK, yet we have an outdated law which does not reflect what we now understand children need and what neglect actually is.
‘The law leaves children unprotected and parents without support and unclear about their responsibilities until it’s too late. We must ensure that these vulnerable children are protected from the serious harm which neglect, in all its forms, causes to their health and wellbeing.
‘We know that intervening early to tackle emerging issues within families prevents neglect before it spirals out of control. Under the current law, parents are punished only after serious damage to children has been done. This is why the law is failing children and why it must urgently be updated.
‘In April next year the law on neglect will be 80 years old – Action for Children does not want to see that anniversary come and go without Government commitment that it will be changed so that more children are protected.’
