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Welsh MP's child cruelty law in Queen's Speech Welsh MP's child cruelty law in Queen's Speech
(35 minutes later)
Ceredigion MP Mark Williams's campaign to tighten the law on child cruelty has won UK government backing.Ceredigion MP Mark Williams's campaign to tighten the law on child cruelty has won UK government backing.
The Queen's Speech at the state opening of parliament included plans for a "serious crime Bill to tackle child neglect". The Queen's Speech at the state opening of parliament included plans for a "Serious Crime Bill to tackle child neglect".
Mr Williams wants a "Cinderella's law" that could see parents in England and Wales prosecuted. Mr Williams wants a "Cinderella law" that could see parents in England and Wales prosecuted.
It was also confirmed that the Wales Bill would continue its passage though parliament.It was also confirmed that the Wales Bill would continue its passage though parliament.
Mr Williams introduced his own private member's Bill to change the law but it failed due to lack of parliamentary time. That Bill will give the Welsh government some taxation and borrowing powers.
Mr Williams introduced his own private member's Bill to change the law on child cruelty, but it failed due to lack of parliamentary time.
The Serious Crime Bill will extend the definition of child cruelty to ensure it covers the most serious cases of emotional neglect and psychological harm.
The Bill will also outlaw written paedophile material.
Mr Williams said the Bill would allow agencies to work together more effectively to safeguard children.
"There is currently an anachronism in our laws where the physical or sexual abuse of children is criminal, but emotional and psychological abuse is only criminal if over-sixteens are the victims," he said.
"There is a mismatch between a civil law that recognises the damage which emotional and psychological abuse has on children, and an outdated Victorian-era criminal law which doesn't.
"This modernisation of our laws, a major victory for all those involved in safeguarding children across the UK, will seek to bridge that disparity."
The MP said there had been a number of cases involving children who had been "emotionally and psychologically abused" by their parents but the police and criminal justice system were "powerless to do anything".