Member

We welcome the Government’s new clause 14 on parental responsibility for a child conceived of rape, creating a duty on the court to make a prohibited steps order restricting the parental responsibility of a person convicted of rape where a child has been conceived as a result of that offence. This is an important measure that strengthens the protection available to victims and ensures that offenders cannot continue to wield control over their victims through their children. I join Members on both sides of the House in paying tribute to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Natalie Fleet), who spoke very powerfully in relation to that and has been a committed campaigner, and other Members have been mentioned who have supported her in securing that change. For too long, victims of rape have faced the unthinkable prospect of having to engage with their attacker over matters concerning their child’s wellbeing.