Reform statutory time limits for all offences involving child victims under 16

Background

Review and reform statutory prosecution time limits for all offences involving victims under 16. A review could consider extending or removing time limits where delayed disclosure, safeguarding investigations, or multi-agency child protection processes may prevent prosecutions.

Additional details

Current law means some common assault prosecutions become time-barred after six months. Children may delay disclosure due to fear, trauma, coercion or family pressures, while safeguarding investigations can take months to complete. Although Parliament has extended prosecution time limits in certain domestic abuse cases, victims under 16 may not benefit from equivalent protections. We call on the Government to review and reform the statutory time limits which can affect child victims.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.