New scheme may allow parents to check whereabouts of abusers

The Times Online reported on the 25^th January that “Sarah’s Law” is to be introduced to help parents check for paedophiles.

Sarah Payne was the little girl murdered by a convicted child abuser around 10 years ago. 

Her mother, Sara Payne has been campaigning to allow parents the right to check the criminal history of anyone who is in regular contact with their children. A pilot scheme has already been operating in four counties. It is understood that a national scheme will come into force at the end of this month. Briefly the new scheme will give parents the right to check with the police to find out whether someone with regular unsupervised access to their children, including friends and family, has a conviction for child abuse.

The UK already has one of the most developed systems of child protection in the world. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 provides the legislative framework for a comprehensive vetting and barring scheme for people who work with children and vulnerable adults (whether paid or unpaid). However the Act does not cover every child protection situation.   

There were concerns about what people will do with this information, and whether we will see vigilantes roaming  around, chasing out suspected abusers. This remains a risk.

However in the writer’s view, the new scheme should be welcomed. Abusers are remarkably adept at insinuating themselves into the confidence of hard pressed parents or voluntary organisations. Any measure that gives extra protection to children has to be a good thing.

May I also thank all those who have commented on the blogs, that we have been putting up on our website. I fear that we are not in a position to deal with technical enquiries and whilst your comments are read and considered, we cannot publish all of them. We will publish comments from time to time.  

Malcolm Johnson – Malcolm Johnson & Co. Solicitors