Today is a truly historic day for child protection in this country.
Last night, the Crime and Policing Bill received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament. This means the Child Cruelty Register provisions have become law.
I do want to take this opportunity to celebrate two extraordinary people – Paula and Tony Hudgell.
Tony suffered unimaginable cruelty as a baby, losing both of his legs. He and his incredible mum Paula turned their pain into purpose and campaigned tirelessly to close a dangerous safeguarding gap.
Because of them, adults convicted of child neglect, cruelty, and other abuse will be monitored after the service of their sentences - just like sex offenders. They will no longer be able to simply vanish, untracked, back into communities where children live.
The register recognises that risk does not end at the prison gate, and neither should oversight.
I am so honoured to have stood alongside them both in this fight. This is their victory and every child in this country is safer because of it.
To read the Act, please press here: https://lnkd.in/e32ejkW9.
