Sex offenders to lose parental rights for children born of rape

Published: 22 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

New government reforms will ensure that individuals convicted of sexual offences will no longer be granted parental responsibility for children conceived through rape. The proposals, set to be debated in parliament as part of the Victims and Courts Bill on Monday, 27 October, aim to protect survivors and their children by removing the legal ability of perpetrators to influence decisions regarding healthcare, education, and international travel for their victims’ children.

Historically, sex offenders could retain parental rights even when a child was conceived as a direct result of sexual assault, leading to widespread concern among victims’ advocates that perpetrators could manipulate the family court system to exert ongoing control. The new reforms will automatically restrict parental responsibility for children born of rape, removing the need for victims to navigate lengthy and traumatic legal processes to protect themselves and their children.

In addition, the legislation will extend these protections to cases where a parent has been convicted of serious sexual offences against any child, not just their own. This means offenders will no longer have the legal authority to participate in crucial decisions affecting a child’s well-being, ensuring that the safety of children and the rights of survivors take precedence over the claims of convicted predators.

Natalie Fleet, MP for Bolsover, has been at the forefront of campaigning for this change. Speaking candidly about her own experience, Fleet revealed that she was groomed at the age of 15 by an older man and became pregnant as a result of rape. Drawing on her personal story, she has fought to ensure that survivors in similar situations are not forced to endure additional trauma from a system that previously allowed offenders to maintain parental influence.

Fleet said, “Men are using every tool they can to keep women quiet, and one of the tools they’ve been using is the family court. Anybody who has been anywhere near it knows how horrendous it is. It is traumatising. It is just frankly horrendous, and it’s been left in a mess. So we’re doing everything we can to make it far easier.”

She added, “This law is about putting the needs of survivors above the needs of rapists. The fact that we even need to do this in 2025 is absurd, but I am thrilled that we are finally taking this step.”

Since being elected last summer, Fleet has used her platform to become a voice for survivors of rape, particularly those who have conceived children as a result of assault. Her advocacy has been guided by three core objectives: establishing a charity to support affected women, ensuring recognition of the issue on the NHS website, and changing the law to remove parental responsibility from convicted offenders.

Fleet described her journey: “When I initially entered parliament, I didn’t even realise that rape was part of my story, because it had become so normalised. It wasn’t until journalists began asking questions that I fully understood the importance of sharing my experience and driving change.”

The proposed legislation will ensure that restrictions on parental responsibility are applied automatically following sentencing. Previously, survivors often had to initiate complex and emotionally draining family court proceedings to prevent offenders from retaining legal rights over children conceived through rape.

In cases where it has not been legally established that a child was conceived as a result of rape, Crown Courts will be required to notify the relevant local authority if there is reason to believe the child may have been born from sexual assault. The local authority will then have six months to obtain the mother’s consent to initiate family court proceedings, ensuring that survivors retain agency and are not subjected to additional legal burdens.

David Lammy, the deputy prime minister, described the reforms as a “crucial step forward in restoring faith in our justice system.” He emphasised that automatically restricting parental responsibility in cases involving rape or serious sexual offences sends a clear message that the rights and safety of children must come first. Lammy said, “This government is committed to standing up for victims and ensuring that those who commit the most vile crimes against children can no longer cause further harm.”

Alex Davies-Jones, minister for victims and tackling violence against women and girls, added, “These reforms will shield both mothers and children from the heinous actions of predatory parents. Our goal is to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, and protecting children from perpetrators is a vital part of that mission.”

Natalie Fleet reflected on the significance of the legislation, describing it as one of the proudest moments of her parliamentary career. “I’m still pinching myself that a government would take someone from an ordinary constituency and give them the platform to make real change. This is an incredible achievement and a day I will never forget,” she said.

In a separate move, the government has pledged to repeal a provision under the Children Act 1989, which currently presumes that contact with both parents is normally in the best interests of a child. Critics of the previous law argue that it failed to account for situations in which one parent poses a serious risk to the child’s safety, particularly in cases involving sexual violence or abuse.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that the repeal will be enacted “when parliamentary time allows.” The decision has been welcomed by domestic abuse campaigners, who have long argued that the presumption of parental contact could place vulnerable children and their guardians at risk.

The reforms have been praised for providing a more victim-centred approach to family law. By automatically restricting parental rights for convicted sex offenders, the legislation recognises the trauma experienced by survivors and prioritises the protection and welfare of children.

Legal experts have noted that the changes will significantly reduce the burden on the courts and survivors alike. Previously, family courts often faced complex and protracted proceedings when addressing parental responsibility in cases involving rape, leaving survivors exposed to additional stress and potential manipulation by offenders. The new measures streamline this process, providing immediate legal safeguards that do not require victims to initiate proceedings.

Campaigners highlight that this reform not only protects children but also empowers survivors, sending a clear societal message that predatory behaviour will not be tolerated. By enshrining these protections into law, the government is taking steps to address longstanding gaps in the justice system that allowed perpetrators to retain influence over children conceived through their crimes.

Natalie Fleet’s advocacy, alongside the work of other parliamentarians, including Baroness Harman and Jess Asato MP, has been instrumental in ensuring that these reforms reached the legislative stage. Their combined efforts demonstrate how personal experience, political advocacy, and legislative action can converge to effect meaningful change for survivors of sexual violence.

As the bill progresses through parliament, experts and campaigners will be monitoring its implementation closely, particularly how swiftly restrictions on parental responsibility are enforced and how effectively local authorities are supported in cases where parental responsibility is disputed or uncertain. The reforms are widely regarded as a landmark development in UK family law and a model for other jurisdictions seeking to protect children from harm while supporting survivors of sexual violence.

These measures represent a comprehensive approach to addressing one of the most difficult and sensitive aspects of family law. By prioritising the safety of children and the rights of survivors, the government is signalling its commitment to modernising the legal framework and ensuring that the justice system aligns with contemporary standards of victim protection.