Open petition: Change the law to allow under 16's to be recognised as victims of domestic abuse

Created by Tia Benjamin
Closes on 9 July 2026

We want the government to amend the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 so children under 16 who experience abuse at the hands of a parent or partner can be legally recognised as victims of domestic abuse. Every child affected deserves to be heard, protected, and supported in law and through services.

Children under 16 who directly experience domestic abuse at the hands of a parent or partner are not legally recognised as victims of domestic abuse under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The law currently defines that someone is a victim of domestic abuse when both parties involved are aged 16 or over, which we believe leaves younger children’s trauma dismissed as merely emotional abuse. Every child affected by domestic abuse deserves to be heard, protected, and supported through law and services.

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