Victims of child cruelty need more protection – it's time for a register of offenders
Tony Hudgell, who uses prosthetic legs, takes the final steps in a fundraising walk in West Malling, Kent (PA Images / Alamy)
3 min read
There is a dangerous child safeguarding gap in our legislation, which has now been recognised by the government, and we have a chance to close it through an amendment to the Sentencing Bill.
I recently addressed the House of Commons in support of such an amendment proposing the creation of a statutory child cruelty register, under New Clause 20. The register aims to ensure that individuals convicted of serious child cruelty offences remain subject to appropriate oversight following the completion of their sentences. Presently there are no such provisions in place.
As both a former legal aid family lawyer and a current legislator, this campaign carries deep personal resonance. Before entering Parliament, I spent over 20 years specialising in child abuse and domestic violence work.
Tragically, in my experience, many perpetrators who ended up behind bars often returned to the family home having served their sentences, then resumed their abusive behaviour and created a vicious cycle of harm. The point being made here is that although prison can be good rehabilitation for some, there are still too many who serve their sentence, leave prison, and remain a risk to others.
Under the proposed register, convicted individuals would be required to notify police of key personal details, including changes in residence, new family circumstances and contact information. This would enable police and probation to continue to monitor and manage those who remain a risk to children after the service of their sentence.
For several years this campaign has been championed with extraordinary courage by my constituent, Paula Hudgell, adoptive mother of Tony Hudgell. Even now, while battling stage 4 terminal cancer, Paula is unswerving in her mission to close this dangerous gap in safeguarding for vulnerable children. Tony, at the age of just 41 days old, was so badly abused by his birth parents that his legs had to be amputated. They were both sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, served eight, and have recently been released. While they remain under supervision for the remainder of their sentence, there is currently no statutory requirement for oversight beyond that period.
Safeguarding is typically further eroded by ex-offenders relocating across county boundaries and disengaging from public services, making detection and risk management even more difficult. The proposed register would help address this by mirroring the structure and function of the existing sex offenders register.
While it was disappointing that the amendment was not adopted in the Commons, I was encouraged by the strong cross-party support it received. During the justice minister’s winding up, I pressed him further, asking whether the government would bring forward an amendment in the House of Lords to introduce a new child cruelty register.
In his response Jake Richards said: “We will speak to Home Office colleagues and others to look at the possibility of doing that, absolutely. The honourable Lady has my word – as does her constituent, who is no doubt watching this debate carefully – that I will work at speed on this issue, but I do not want to make promises that the government cannot keep.”
Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and harm
Separately, the Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, also confirmed to me the government’s commitment to progressing this reform.
Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and harm. A statutory register would help prevent future tragedies by making it more difficult for serious offenders to evade scrutiny.
With the Sentencing Bill scheduled for its Second Reading in the House of Lords, I remain committed to working across party lines to ensure this vital child safeguarding measure is delivered.
Helen Grant is the Conservative MP for Maidstone and Malling
