A so-called “Cinderella law” which updates the law in relation to child cruelty and criminalises emotional and physical abuse to children has been promised by the government in the Queen’s speech.
Numerous children’s charities campaigned for a change in the law in this area and earlier this year, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that it was “considering ways the law can support” the protection of children from emotional cruelty.
Sir Tony Hawkhead, the chief executive of the charity Action for Children, said of the proposed change:
“Today marks a monumental and overdue step forward for children and our efforts to protect them from severe emotional abuse. Children who are made to feel worthless, powerless and unloved by their families will now have the law on their side.
“We are one of the last countries in the western world to recognise this form of child cruelty – the time for change is long overdue. Emotional abuse can create permanent scars, leading to mental health problems and, in extreme cases, to suicide. This legislation will change lives.
“We have established a cross-party implementation group of MPs, who, moving forward, will work with us and the Government to determine how the new law will be delivered in practice.”
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