Researching Reform: Cinderella Law – how might the new criminal measures affect already existing family legislation?

New legislation nicknamed the Cinderella Law which looks set to become enacted in the near future could have significant ramifications upon the practice of family law. If passed it would become a criminal offence for parents or carers to harm a child's 'physical intellectual emotional social or behavioural development'. It is expected to encompass all forms of child abuse including children suffering from a lack of love at home children who witness domestic violence and those that have been humiliated by a parent or carer. If found guilty adults could face up to 10 years in prison - the current maximum sentence in child neglect cases.

If the law is indeed enacted the new measures could be added to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 or could be enshrined in a separate...

Read the full article here.