Rejected petition: Protect the Innocent-Reform Britain’s Approach to Historical Sexual Offences
Rejected on
We call on the UK Government and Parliament to review safeguards in historical sexual offence prosecutions where the complainant’s account is the sole evidence capable of establishing the alleged offence, ensuring defendants receive a fair trial and are protected against unsafe convictions.
We call on the UK Government and Parliament to urgently strengthen safeguards in historical sexual offence prosecutions where the complainant’s account is the sole evidence capable of establishing the alleged offence. No person should be convicted unless guilt is safely proven beyond reasonable doubt. The seriousness of an allegation must never replace evidence. Victims deserve justice, but so do innocent defendants. The presumption of innocence and right to a fair trial must mean exactly that.
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.
We are not sure what new safeguard or legal change you want the Government to introduce. You also ask for protections that already exist in UK law - presumption of innocence, proof beyond reasonable doubt, and judicial safeguards in historical cases.
You could start a new, more specific petition about the changes you want to see.
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.