Abusive parents will be put on new ‘child cruelty’ register

The consequences are tougher and lasting

Following a new child cruelty register, there will be tougher and lasting consequences for parents and caregivers who physically harm children.

On Monday, the government said that it has tabled amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to establish the register.

Police will monitor more closely adults who subject children in their care to cruel, heartless crimes, such as neglect and abandonment, and they face similar restrictions as registered sex offenders.

This will reduce the chances of reoffending and providing better protection to children, and the register will also cover all offences related to child female genital mutilation.

“It is unforgivable that someone who is supposed to take care of a child would hurt them instead”, according to Jess Phillips, MP, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls.

The register will also cover crimes such as those convicted of causing or allowing the death or serious physical harm of a child.

This includes child cruelty, abandonment or neglect, female genital mutilation and infanticide. These offences are egregious betrayals of a child’s trust and dependency.

“Child abusers do not deserve shielding; children do. The Child Cruelty Register will ensure these offenders are visible to the police, allowing authorities to see and act when risks arise”, Sentencing Minister, Jake Richards MP said.