Open petition: Introduce mandatory multi-agency infant checks and increase abuse sentences

Created by Chelsea-Leigh Gould
Closes on 15 April 2027

Mandate multi-agency safeguarding checks during pregnancy and up to age four, and introduce mandatory Whole Life Orders for child homicide and severe abuse of infants under five.

Abusers (including parents) can conceal warning signs in children being abused, and in our view, agencies frequently miss critical risks due to poor communication. We call on the Government to introduce statutory multi-agency screening across police, NHS, and social care during pregnancy for domestic abuse and drug misuse, followed by mandatory in-person health checks until a child turns four. We also think sentencing of child abuse and homicide must be overhauled: anyone convicted of severe abuse, fatal neglect, or murder of a child under five must face mandatory whole-life sentences.

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