The criminal law and child neglect: - Action for Children

Fit with recent and forthcoming developmentsNew domestic violenceguidanceIn September 2012, the Governmentannounced that the definition of domesticviolence would be widened, with newguidance to recognise forms of emotionalabuse in domestic violence cases, as well asextending the current law to include youngpeople aged 16 and 17.The new definition recognises that patternsof behaviour and separate instances ofcontrol can add up to abuse – includinginstances of intimidation, isolation, deprivingvictims of their financial independence ormaterial possessions and regulating theireveryday behaviour. 35The UN Convention on theRights of the Child (UNCRC)The UK Government is due to report backon progress towards meeting its obligationsunder the UNCRC in January 2014. In 2008the UN Committee on the Rights of theChild identified a range of issues in the UK,including the ‘alarming’ high prevalence ofviolence, abuse and neglect of children,including in the home, and the lack of acomprehensive nationwide strategy to tacklethese problems. 36The new provision would bring the UK into agreater degree of compliance with article19of the UNCRC and articles 7(10) and 17 ofthe European Social Charter.The prospect of the new guidance is to bestrongly welcomed, but further exposes thefailure of the Children and Young PersonsAct 1933 to protect children under 16 fromnon-physical harm. Older young peopleand adults will now be protected from suchemotional abuse whereas children under 16still are not.35Women’s Aid, Government changes the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control and recognise 16/17year olds, http://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-violence-press-information.asp?itemid=2914&itemTitle=Government+changes+the+definition+of+domestic+violence+to+include+coercive+control+and+recognise+16%2F17+year+olds&section=0001000100150001&sectionTitle=Press+releases. Accessed 5 February 2013.36UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 ofthe Convention: Committee on the Rights of the Child: concluding observations: United Kingdom of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland, (UNCRC, 2008).16.