Closed petition Prevent rapists from having parental responsibility

Closed on 21 April 2023

Change the law on parental responsibility so that rapists cannot have parental responsibility in respect of any children, especially the children of their victim or victims. This should apply if someone is convicted of rape, or where a family court finds that rape has taken place.

We believe family law regarding parental responsibility in the UK is a disgrace. A rapist shouldn’t ever have parental responsibility for children especially when they’ve raped that child’s mother (or parent). Allowing rapists parental responsibility to the victim's child can cause ongoing trauma to the rape victims. It doesn’t allow victims to heal and move on. Victims can fear for themselves and their child the rest of their lives.