How sex abusers who target their own children keep parental rights – and the mothers fighting back

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How sex abusers who target their own children keep parental rights – and the mothers fighting back
Author: Maya Oppenheim
Published: Mar, 16 2024 09:21

‘Sexual abuse by a parent or step-parent is one of the most psychologically damaging crimes that children can endure. It is an abhorrent gap in our justice system that, when these offenders are convicted, they maintain their parental responsibility,’ victims’ commissioner tells Maya Oppenheim.

 [Claire Waxman says it is ‘an abhorrent gap in our justice system’]
Image Credit: The Independent [Claire Waxman says it is ‘an abhorrent gap in our justice system’]

A mother is desperate to change her child’s surname – so that they no longer share it with their criminal father. But Emily* is being blocked from doing so by her ex, despite the fact that he is a convicted child sex offender. Her predicament is not unique.

 [Labour’s Harriet Harman has tabled an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to address the issue]
Image Credit: The Independent [Labour’s Harriet Harman has tabled an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to address the issue]

Under English and Welsh law, child sex abusers are able to keep their parental rights in the UK, even if they target their own children. This allows them to retain influence over where the child lives, as well as their healthcare and education. Getting parental responsibility revoked is an intensely protracted process that requires going through the family courts and can cost as much as £30,000 to £50,000.

But London’s victims’ commissioner, Claire Waxman, is tabling an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill that would mean that child sex abusers who target their own children or stepchildren have their parental responsibility revoked. “Sexual abuse by a parent or step-parent is one of the most psychologically damaging crimes that children can endure,” Ms Waxman told The Independent. “It is an abhorrent gap in our justice system that, when these offenders are convicted, they maintain their parental responsibility over their victims.

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