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| 'Cinderella Law' to combat emotional cruelty against children to be considered by ministers | 'Cinderella Law' to combat emotional cruelty against children to be considered by ministers |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Parents who fail to show love and affection towards their children could be sent to prison for up to 10 years under a “Cinderella Law” to be announced in the Queen’s Speech in June, according to a report. | Parents who fail to show love and affection towards their children could be sent to prison for up to 10 years under a “Cinderella Law” to be announced in the Queen’s Speech in June, according to a report. |
| The move will make “emotional cruelty” a criminal offence for the first time. | The move will make “emotional cruelty” a criminal offence for the first time. |
| The decision was hailed as a “monumental step” forwards by a children’s charity, which said children could grow up with “ lifelong mental health problems” or end up taking their own lives. | |
| Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP and part-time judge, who has campaigned on the issue, wrote in The Daily Telegraph that change had been “long overdue”. | Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP and part-time judge, who has campaigned on the issue, wrote in The Daily Telegraph that change had been “long overdue”. |
| “Not too many years after the Brothers Grimm popularised the story of Cinderella, the offence of child neglect was introduced,” he said, but added: “Our criminal law has never reflected the full range of emotional suffering experienced by children who are abused by their parents or carers. | “Not too many years after the Brothers Grimm popularised the story of Cinderella, the offence of child neglect was introduced,” he said, but added: “Our criminal law has never reflected the full range of emotional suffering experienced by children who are abused by their parents or carers. |
| “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. |
| “We need a clear, concise and workable definition of child maltreatment — an alternative code that reflects the range of harm of done to children and which provides appropriate legal mechanisms to tackle some of the worst cases. | “We need a clear, concise and workable definition of child maltreatment — an alternative code that reflects the range of harm of done to children and which provides appropriate legal mechanisms to tackle some of the worst cases. |
| “Emotional neglect must be outlawed, the term 'wilful’ should be replaced and the criminal law should be brought into line with its civil counterpart.” | “Emotional neglect must be outlawed, the term 'wilful’ should be replaced and the criminal law should be brought into line with its civil counterpart.” |
| A Ministry of Justice spokesman came close to confirming the report. | A Ministry of Justice spokesman came close to confirming the report. |
| “The Government believes protecting children from harm is fundamental and that child cruelty is an abhorrent crime which should be punished,” he said. | “The Government believes protecting children from harm is fundamental and that child cruelty is an abhorrent crime which should be punished,” he said. |
| “Every child should be able to grow up in a safe environment. We are considering ways the law can support this.” | “Every child should be able to grow up in a safe environment. We are considering ways the law can support this.” |
| Sir Tony Hawkhead, chief executive of Action for Children, said he had met children who had been “scapegoated in their families, constantly humiliated and made to feel unloved”. | Sir Tony Hawkhead, chief executive of Action for Children, said he had met children who had been “scapegoated in their families, constantly humiliated and made to feel unloved”. |
| “The impact is devastating and can lead to lifelong mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide,” he said. | “The impact is devastating and can lead to lifelong mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide,” he said. |
| “We are one of the last countries in the West to recognise all forms of child abuse as a crime. | “We are one of the last countries in the West to recognise all forms of child abuse as a crime. |
| “Years of campaigning have been rewarded. The Government has listened.” | “Years of campaigning have been rewarded. The Government has listened.” |