Child abusers should be made to join a register just like sex offenders, Conservatives say
The Conservative Party has called for a new register similar to the existing sex offenders list to keep track of people convicted of child abuse, arguing it would prevent them from “disappearing” and reoffending.
Nick Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, described the proposal as a “vital protection” against repeat offending.
Currently, people convicted of certain sexual offenses are legally required to report changes to their name, address, travel plans and any contact with children to the police.
Under the Conservatives’ proposed child cruelty register, offenders found guilty of crimes such as child cruelty, infanticide, causing or allowing the death of a child and female genital mutilation would be required to provide personal information to authorities after being released from court or prison.
Conservative leaders in the House of Lords have proposed an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to create this plan.
“A serious justice system cannot allow people convicted of brutal cruelty against children to disappear, potentially repeating their crimes against other children unchecked,” Mr Timothy said.
“Protecting the most vulnerable must come first and the Conservative amendment will do just that.
“It is a vital safety measure to ensure that people who pose a persistent risk to children are seen by authorities indefinitely.”
Alicia Kearns, the Conservative shadow home secretary in the House of Commons, said offenders “could change their name, change county and disappear when their sentence is up”, adding that this “cannot be justified”.
He continued: “We pursue sex offenders because the risk doesn’t end at the prison door; the same should be true for cowards convicted of child cruelty.
“A child cruelty register will keep dangerous people visible to police and prioritize the safety of children.”
The Crime and Policing Bill has been approved in the House of Commons but faces further scrutiny in the upper house before becoming law.
Caucus members will begin a process to amend the bill at the report stage next Wednesday.
