Jade’s Law will help protect children

New legislation is to be introduced by the end of 2023 to better protect children from harm.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has said the Victims and Prisoners Bill will be amended so that parents convicted of murder or voluntary manslaughter of a partner or ex-partner, with whom they have children, will automatically have their parental responsibility suspended upon sentencing.

It will mean killers will no longer have any say over key elements of their children’s lives including whether they can access therapeutic support, go on holiday or change schools.

The measures are being named after Jade Ward, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021. 

Her family have sought for the law change law after her murderer continued to be able to take part in decisions relating to their four children, further inflicting trauma on them and Jade’s parents.

You can read the latest government update using the link here