Regulation

New Bill to Deny Parental Rights for Rapists in UK

New UK law proposed to deny parental rights to sex offenders for children conceived through rape, a significant step for survivors.

By Matthew Davis3 min readOct 21, 20258 views
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bitcoin In a landmark move, sex offenders in England and Wales will face restrictions on parental responsibility for children conceived through rape, thanks to newly proposed measures in parliament. These regulations, backed by the government, are part of the victims and courts bill set to be discussed on Monday, October 27.

The new legislation will automatically limit parental responsibility in cases where a child is born as a result of rape. Moreover, it extends to instances where a parent has been convicted of serious sexual offenses against any child, not solely their own. This change means that sex offenders will no longer have a say in critical decisions regarding medical care, education, or international travel for their children.

Natalie Fleet, the MP for Bolsover, has played a pivotal role in championing this change. Having experienced grooming at age 15, Fleet became pregnant as a result of rape. She expressed her outrage at the current state of family law, stating, “Men are using every tool they can to keep women quiet, and one of the tools they’re using is the family court.”

New Bill to Deny Parental Rights for Rapists in UK Fleet, reflecting on her experience, described the family court system as “horrendous” and “traumatising,” emphasizing the need for reform. She stated, “This law is saying we’re putting the needs of survivors above the needs of rapists,” and expressed her disbelief that such measures were only being introduced in 2025.

Since her election last summer, Fleet has dedicated herself to being a voice for survivors of rape, particularly those who have given birth to children as a result of their assaults. She pointed out the disturbing reality that children often become the only aspect of a crime that offenders maintain lifelong access to, saying, “I just think it’s disgusting.”

Mastering the Maze of Modern Regulations Fleet's goals are threefold: to establish a charity aimed at supporting women who conceive through rape, to ensure the NHS acknowledges this issue on its website, and to implement legal changes. Initially, she didn’t recognize that rape was part of her own story until pressed by journalists. She noted, “It wasn’t until Westminster journalists started asking me about it...because it was so normal, because my story is so normal in my constituency.”

Upon realizing the significance of her experience, Fleet felt compelled to drive change. She believed that the simplest step would be to get the information onto the NHS website, followed by establishing a charity. She viewed changing the law as the most challenging task, one that would require extensive campaigning.

https://coinzn.org/ Under the proposed reforms, the restriction of parental responsibility will take effect immediately upon sentencing, thereby eliminating the need for offenders to apply through the family court. This change is designed to streamline the process and prioritize the welfare of survivors and their children.

This proposed legislation marks a vital step in addressing the ongoing issues of violence against women and girls in society. It reflects a shift towards prioritizing the rights and well-being of survivors, ensuring that they are protected from the perpetrator’s influence in family matters. As the bill approaches parliamentary discussion, advocates hope it will pave the way for further reforms in family law, promoting a more supportive environment for survivors of sexual violence.

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#Family law#UK news#Violence against women and girls#Law#Society

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