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'Cinderella' emotional cruelty law considered 'Cinderella' emotional cruelty law considered
(35 minutes later)
Child neglect laws in England and Wales may be changed to make "emotional cruelty" a crime for the first time, the Daily Telegraph has reported. The government is "seriously" considering introducing a new offence of emotional cruelty to children, the BBC understands.
It follows a campaign for a "Cinderella Law" led by the charity Action for Children, which says the UK lags behind other countries. The proposed change to neglect laws in England and Wales would see parents who starve their children of affection face prosecution for the first time.
Its chief executive said the move would be a "monumental step forward". It follows a campaign for a "Cinderella Law" from charity Action for Children.
The Ministry of Justice said it was "considering ways the law can support" protecting children from harm. Government sources said the measure was "being looked at very seriously", and that it was "more likely than not".
Robert Buckland MP, who backs the campaign, said the current law focused on the physical effects of abuse only. Ministers are looking to introduce the measure ahead of the next election - but sources stressed it was not yet a done deal.
"Emotional neglect, by contrast, which modern science now shows can be equally as destructive to a child's wellbeing as physical abuse, is excluded from the law," he wrote in the Telegraph. The Daily Telegraph reported it would be introduced in the Queen's Speech in June but it is understood this would not necessarily be the case as it would not require a separate piece of legislation because it could be added on to an existing bill.
Action for Children's chief executive, Sir Tony Hawkhead, said it would be a "monumental step forward for thousands of children".
'Constantly humiliated''Constantly humiliated'
Mr Buckland, Conservative MP for Swindon South, paid tribute to Action for Children's campaign to reform the law. Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP who has backed the campaign, said the current law focused on the physical effects of abuse only.
The charity's chief executive, Sir Tony Hawkhead, said it was a "monumental step forward for thousands of children". "Emotional neglect, by contrast, which modern science now shows can be equally as destructive to a child's wellbeing as physical abuse, is excluded from the law," he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
"I've met children who have been scapegoated in their families, constantly humiliated and made to feel unloved," he added. Mr Buckland paid tribute to Action for Children's campaign to reform the law, adding: "I've met children who have been scapegoated in their families, constantly humiliated and made to feel unloved.
"The impact is devastating and can lead to life-long mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide.""The impact is devastating and can lead to life-long mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide."
The campaign was also backed by Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams, who introduced a private member's bill on the issue last year, the late Labour MP Paul Goggins and Baroness Butler-Sloss, a former judge who was president of the family division of the High Court.The campaign was also backed by Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams, who introduced a private member's bill on the issue last year, the late Labour MP Paul Goggins and Baroness Butler-Sloss, a former judge who was president of the family division of the High Court.
The Children and Young Persons Act of 1933 provides for the punishment of a person who treats a child "in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health (including injury to or loss of sight, or hearing, or limb, or organ of the body, and any mental derangement)".The Children and Young Persons Act of 1933 provides for the punishment of a person who treats a child "in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health (including injury to or loss of sight, or hearing, or limb, or organ of the body, and any mental derangement)".
Mr Williams's bill would add a further category of harm for which the perpetrator could be punished: impairment of "physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development".
The Telegraph said the proposal to make emotional cruelty a crime would be included in the Queen's Speech in June.
'Sad truth''Sad truth'
Mr Williams's bill would add a further category of harm for which the perpetrator could be punished: impairment of "physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development".
Child neglect was made a punishable offence by the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1868.Child neglect was made a punishable offence by the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1868.
"Not too many years after the Brothers Grimm popularised the story of Cinderella, the offence of child neglect was introduced," Mr Buckland said. Mr Buckland said: "Not too many years after the Brothers Grimm popularised the story of Cinderella, the offence of child neglect was introduced.
"The sad truth is that, until now, the Wicked Stepmother would have got away scot-free.""The sad truth is that, until now, the Wicked Stepmother would have got away scot-free."
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The government believes protecting children from harm is fundamental and that child cruelty is an abhorrent crime which should be punished. The Ministry of Justice said it was "considering ways the law can support" protecting children from harm.
"Every child should be able to grow up in a safe environment - we are considering ways the law can support this." A spokesman said protecting children from harm was "fundamental" and that child cruelty was an "abhorrent crime which should be punished".