Paedophiles convicted of serious sexual offences could lose parental rights over their children under a new law.

The proposed law change comes after the BBC reported the case of a mother who spent £30,000 in legal fees to stop her paedophile ex-husband getting access to their daughter.

After hearing the story, Labour MP Harriet Harman tabled an amendment to upcoming legislation.

It covers the most serious sexual offence - rape of a child under 13.

Speaking to BBC News, Ms Harman said paedophiles who were guilty of that crime in the future would be “automatically deprived” of their parental rights.

  • JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee
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    7 months ago

    It’s clarified in the subtext, but you shouldn’t use the word pedophile in the title, as it’s not all pedophiles, not celibate pedophiles who don’t act on their attraction which they cannot control to children, but only child abusers who are rightfully affected by this.

    • eronth@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Unfortunately most people correlate pedophile and child abuser. It makes it hard for a pedophile who has done nothing to feel comfortable seeking help.

      • stoly@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Worse: there are many stories of non offenders who sought psychological help only to have the therapist report them to the police. Then the investigations and job losses followed, all for doing nothing wrong at all.