Sarah’s Law and Safeguarding Children
Sarah’s Law, otherwise known as ‘The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme’ allows parents to ask the Police if someone - who has access to their children has been convicted or suspected of child abuse. It is designed to protect vulnerable children under the age of 18.
Besides parents, Sarah’s Law can also be used by carers or guardians of children - if they are concerned or feel that children are at risk.
The Police will look into the background of individual in question and reveal details, confidentially, if they believe it is in the child’s best interests. The Police will only disclose information if it is lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so in the interests of protecting the child or children from harm.
‘Sarah’s Law’ and ‘The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme’ was developed by the ‘Home Office’ – working together with the mother of Sarah Payne, to help safeguard children against child sex offenders. Sarah Payne, aged 8, was abducted and murdered in West Sussex, England in July 2000 by Roy Whiting. It was later found that Roy Whiting had a previous conviction relating to an abduction and sexual offence to another 8 year old girl; this information was withheld from the initial jury in the Sarah Payne case since it was felt that such knowledge could be prejudicial and jeopardize the case.
After an initial 2008 pilot scheme covering just 4 areas. the Home Office announced in 2010 that Sarah’s Law would be extended to cover the whole of England and Wales by Spring 2011. Recent figures show that close to a thousand parents, careers and guardians in England, Wales and Scotland have used the scheme to date.
You can evoke Sarah’s Law by visiting your local Police station or by calling 101 and checks should be completed within 24 hours of the report being made. The subject in question is not automatically informed of the checks relating to them. However, should a disclosure take place, the subject may be informed that someone is going to receive a disclosure about them.
For further information on Sarah’s Law AND if you have concerns about any individuals in close contact with your children or children for whom you are a career or guardian, please get in touch with RJS Family Law.