Strengthen self-defence rights for adults who intervene to protect children

59
signatures
closedMinistry of JusticeOpened 10 March 2026Closed 10 September 2026

Background

We call on the Government to amend self-defence law to give explicit statutory protection to any adult who reasonably and proportionately intervenes to protect a child from immediate assault, sexual assault, or grooming.

Additional details

We would like: - Rebuttable presumption that force used to defend a child was reasonable. - Immunity from “excessive force” charges when honestly believing a child was in imminent danger and acting in good faith. We believe that too many hesitate, fearing arrest. We think this could remove that fear and encourage intervention, while keeping force proportionate.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 754092.