Displaying items by tag: child protection

Weston-super-Mare is in deep shock following the tragic death of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe, who was fatally stabbed at her home on 15 December. The police confirmed that she died at the scene after suffering a single stab wound. Emergency services were called, but despite their efforts, she could not be saved. Police have now released two photographs, which reflect a joyful, much-loved child, whose loss has devastated family, friends, and neighbours. A 15-year-old boy has been charged with Aria’s murder and has been remanded into youth detention pending further court proceedings. Specialist police officers continue to support Aria’s family, while schools and local agencies are providing care for those affected by this traumatic event. The family has asked for privacy as investigations continue. See

Seven men aged 19 to 26 have been charged with more than forty sex and drug offences in a major grooming investigation in Bristol. The case involves alleged offences against eleven complainants between 2022 and 2025. The police began their inquiry in late 2023 after receiving a tip-off about the suspected exploitation of a teenage girl. Initial arrests were made last April, with the suspects later re-arrested in coordinated raids this week. The defendants face a wide range of charges, including multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a child, and drug supply. They all appeared at Bristol magistrates’ court and were remanded in custody ahead of a hearing on 17 December. The police said that safeguarding victims is at the centre of the investigation, with support measures put in place. Prosecutors reminded the public that the men have the right to a fair trial and warned against sharing information that could prejudice proceedings.

Hackers who targeted Kido Schools, a nursery chain, by stealing and publishing sensitive images and personal data of around 8,000 children, have backtracked after widespread public outrage. The group, calling themselves Radiant, initially demanded a ransom of £600,000 in bitcoin, threatening to continue releasing profiles. Parents even received direct threatening calls. Following condemnation, the hackers blurred photos, later removed all data, and apologised, claiming it was deleted. Experts remain sceptical, noting cyber-criminals often falsely promise deletion while retaining or selling stolen material. Radiant appears inexperienced and may have underestimated the moral backlash of exploiting children. Much of the stolen content came from Kido’s use of Famly, a popular education platform, though Famly insists its infrastructure was not breached. Kido confirmed the incident is under investigation with external specialists and authorities.

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s law banning gender transition surgeries and hormone treatments for minors, ruling 6-3 that the law does not violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The decision in Skrmetti v. United States establishes a precedent allowing similar legislation in over 20 states to remain in effect. Christian leaders have welcomed the ruling as a decisive step in protecting children. Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel called it a “victory for children everywhere,” arguing that experimental procedures should not be allowed under the guise of equality. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council praised the affirmation of FRC’s “SAFE Act” model. Brent Leatherwood of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission emphasised that the state has a duty to protect children from harmful and irreversible decisions. However, progressive voices such as Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush of Interfaith Alliance criticised the ruling as religious overreach. The case marks a pivotal moment in defining the boundary between child protection and personal medical autonomy in U.S. law.

A damning report by Dame Louise Casey has revealed systemic failures across England and Wales in addressing grooming gangs that have sexually exploited thousands of children. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper responded with an unequivocal apology to victims and survivors, announcing a full national inquiry and promising the most comprehensive reforms ever taken by a UK government to combat child sexual exploitation. The Casey report highlights years of obfuscation by public institutions, with suspects often disproportionately of Asian heritage or with ethnicity data missing and agencies failing to act. Recommendations include broadening the legal definition of rape, improving data sharing, and initiating a nationally coordinated criminal investigation. A new national operation will be led by the National Crime Agency. Controversially, Cooper also announced that asylum seekers found guilty of grooming or sexual offences will be barred from claiming refuge in the UK. Criticisms remain over previous government inaction and political posturing, yet survivors and campaigners have welcomed the long-overdue steps. Casey called for definitive action, stating, “We must right the wrongs of the past.”

England’s chief medical officer, Sir Chris Whitty, will examine whether under-16s should be banned from social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Ministers are commissioning his advice amid growing concerns over the impact of excessive smartphone use on young people’s mental health. The average British 12- to 15-year-old spends around 35 hours a week on a smartphone, raising alarms about sleep, well-being, and educational outcomes. Campaigners argue that tech companies prioritise profits over child safety, while some MPs claim the Government is moving too slowly on protections. A proposed bill sought to raise the digital age of consent to 16, making it harder for social media sites to collect children’s data. However, the Government is expected to take a softer approach, commissioning a review rather than implementing an outright ban. With Australia having already passed a ban on under-16s using social media, pressure is mounting for the UK to act. Ministers remain cautious, balancing child safety with concerns about stifling tech growth.

A new bill will aim to bolster child protection by empowering local councils to intervene when home environments are deemed unsafe. This proposed legislation, unveiled by education secretary Bridget Phillipson, will end the automatic right to home-school children. It will introduce mandatory registers for children not in school and unique identifier numbers to ensure no child 'falls through the cracks’. It aims to promote collaboration between schools, police, and children’s social care to enhance safeguarding measures. This comes in the wake of Sara Sharif’s tragic murder, a high-profile case which exposed systemic failures. Her removal from school and the closure of her case after six days despite clear warnings underscore the need for reform. The bill is seen as a foundation for change, emphasising the importance of improved data-sharing to prevent children from becoming invisible in the system.

The murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif has ignited calls for stronger safeguards for children, particularly those being home-schooled. Sara’s father and stepmother, convicted of her murder, had subjected her to two years of horrific abuse, prompting scrutiny of existing child protection measures. The government plans to introduce a Children's Wellbeing Bill, proposing safeguards like mandatory local authority consent for home-schooling children under protection plans, a child identifier system, and multi-agency safeguarding teams. Surrey County Council, which had been alerted to Sara’s welfare concerns before her death, is launching an independent review of its actions. Critics argue that current laws allowing at-risk children to be removed from school are inadequate. Keir Starmer emphasised the need for answers and better safeguards to prevent such tragedies. Proposals also include establishing a register for home-educated children and improving data-sharing between services to identify risks more effectively.

The UK's Online Safety Act, signed into law last week, introduces new rules aimed at protecting children online. Ofcom has unveiled its first draft codes of practice under the act, focusing on illegal material such as grooming content, fraud, and child sexual abuse. The rules include limiting direct messages and removing them from suggested friend lists to protect children. Tech platforms will be legally required to keep children's location data private and restrict who can send direct messages to them. Ofcom will publish more rules in the coming months, with each new code requiring parliamentary approval. The goal is to enforce the codes by the end of next year. The act also encourages the use of technology to identify illegal images of abuse and prevent their dissemination.

Amnesty International, in a new report called They Are Girls Not Mothers, found draconian abortion laws and systemic failure to tackle child sexual violence have forced girls as young as ten years old to carry out full-term pregnancies. The report focuses on sexual violence against children - specifically girls under the age of 14 - who become pregnant and are forced to carry the pregnancy to term. It also analyses the failures of the system in Paraguay to address cases of sexual violence against children and teenagers. Amnesty International said Paraguay is turning its back on girls and teenagers facing unimaginable abuses. Although on paper there is a legal framework to support survivors of sexual violence, in practice they are at the mercy of a chaotic system that does not listen to them or prioritise their well-being. Forcing someone to continue with a pregnancy, particularly when it is the result of rape, can be considered torture.