Five years ago, my world changed overnight — my family was torn apart. It all started with what professionals call "the knock." My then-husband was arrested for having indecent images of children, and just two weeks later, my teenager was also arrested for a similar offence. Myself and my three young children witnessed the devastating events unfold. The police raids, my children being questioned , school visits, home visits and child protection services involvement for a number of years. Professionals unable to offer adaqute support to none offending members of my family. Where was the support, emotional wellbeing and wrap around support. It was like professionals didn’t know how to approach and help those dealing with the aftermath of police raids, a parent being arrested and told they could no longer see the offending parent yet little information was given to the children as to why they couldn’t see the other parent and it was left to the none offending parent to try deal with what was to come over the next few years. My life and my children’s life changed forever. 

The situation triggered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in us all, forcing our family to relocate and straining our relationships to breaking point. Heartbreakingly, it was only later that I learned of my ex-husband's history of sexual offences against children. 

This experience has led me to realise that children need better protection when living with or visiting a parent with a criminal record involving child sexual offences. Here in the UK, the age of criminal responsibility is shockingly low at just 10 years old. How can we, as a society, hold children accountable for their actions while simultaneously denying them the means to protect themselves?

Currently, there are significant barriers preventing children from accessing vital police disclosures. This lack of transparency leaves children vulnerable to harm. The current system silences their voices, trapping them in potentially dangerous situations. It's time we re-evaluate our priorities and make children's safety our primary concern.

I am calling on the Home Office and child protection agencies to reform regulations and allow children access to police disclosures when a parent has a history of child sexual offences. This change will empower children to make informed decisions about their own safety and surroundings, ensuring they can protect themselves from potential harm.

Access to police disclosures will help children understand the risks they may face and provide them with the tools needed to safeguard their well-being. It is essential that we create a system where children can effortlessly voice their concerns and take appropriate action, rather than remain voiceless and fearful.

We must prioritise the safety and security of our children by granting them the right to information that is fundamental to their protection. Let's give children the means to protect themselves and ensure they never have to endure what my family went through.

after 5 years of going backwards and forwards between the police, courts and social services it was agreed that the police would provide my children with the police information relating to the offending parent. This included, sexual assault of a minor, indecent images of children and a disclose that the parent was previously on a sec offender register. This allowed the children to make their own decisions on how to safeguard themselves. 

However it wasn’t easy to get the disclosure it took a few years as there is currently nothing legally put in place to allow children to have police disclosures. The current Sarah’s law and Clare’s law only covers those over the ages of 18.

i can now say that since my children received the disclosure from the police regarding the parent offering history they were able to make there own decisions, received the right supper and felt like things now made sense to them and how they wished someone would have told them sooner.

The police stated they have never been asked to do such a discloser to children which is why so many obstacles were in the way. 

This is one of the many reasons why I would like legislation to be changed to allow children the choice of they want a disclosure as in my experience this has helped my children understand what has been going on. 

Sign this petition to demand immediate legislative action to provide access to police disclosures for children when a parent has a past involving child sexual offences. Together, we can create a safer future for our children.