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'Cinderella' emotional cruelty law considered 'Cinderella' emotional cruelty law considered
(35 minutes later)
The government is "seriously" considering introducing a new offence of emotional cruelty to children, the BBC understands.The government is "seriously" considering introducing a new offence of emotional cruelty to children, the BBC understands.
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.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.
It follows a campaign for a "Cinderella Law" from charity Action for Children.It follows a campaign for a "Cinderella Law" from charity Action for Children.
Government sources said the measure was "being looked at very seriously", and that it was "more likely than not".Government sources said the measure was "being looked at very seriously", and that it was "more likely than not".
Ministers are looking to introduce the measure ahead of the next election - but sources stressed it was not yet a done deal. Ministers are looking to introduce the measure ahead of the next election, the BBC understands, but sources stressed it was not yet a done deal.
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. The Daily Telegraph reported it would be introduced in the Queen's Speech in June but it is understood this might not be the case as it would not require a separate piece of legislation - it could instead 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". Action for Children's chief executive, Sir Tony Hawkhead, said the change would be a "monumental step forward for thousands of children".
'Constantly humiliated' 'Terrorising a child'
Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP who has backed the campaign, said the current law focused on the physical effects of abuse only. Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP who has backed the charity's campaign, said the current law was outdated, having been based largely on legislation first introduced 150 years ago.
"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. He said non-physical abuse could cause "significant harm" to children.
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. "You can look at a range of behaviours, from ignoring a child's presence, failing to stimulate a child, right through to acts of in fact terrorising a child where the child is frightened to disclose what is happening to them," Mr Buckland told BBC Radio 5 live.
"The impact is devastating and can lead to life-long mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide." "Isolating them, belittling them, rejecting them, corrupting them, as well, into criminal or anti-social behaviour."
He said the new law would not criminalise parents for being nasty, but for their criminal behaviour.
"This proposal is not about widening the net, it's about making the net stronger so that we catch those parents and carers who are quite clearly inflicting significant harm on their children, whereas they should be nurturing them and loving them," Mr Buckland said.
He added that it would also give police a "clearer way" in which to work, he said.
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.
'Abhorrent crime'
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)".
'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".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.
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 Ministry of Justice said it was "considering ways the law can support" protecting children from harm.The Ministry of Justice said it was "considering ways the law can support" protecting children from harm.
A spokesman said protecting children from harm was "fundamental" and that child cruelty was an "abhorrent crime which should be punished".A spokesman said protecting children from harm was "fundamental" and that child cruelty was an "abhorrent crime which should be punished".