In the early 2000s, the News of the World newspaper became embroiled in a scandal that would ultimately lead to the creation of Sarah’s Law – a piece of legislation aimed at protecting children from sexual predators. This scandal, also known as the phone hacking scandal, involved journalists from the tabloid hacking into the phones of celebrities, politicians, and even crime victims in search of salacious stories to print.
One of the victims of this illegal phone hacking was Sara Payne, the mother of a young girl named Sarah, who was tragically abducted and murdered by a known sex offender in 2000. Sara had been campaigning for tougher laws to protect children from predators ever since her daughter’s death, and she had been working closely with the News of the World to raise awareness of the issue.
However, it was later revealed that journalists from the newspaper had been hacking into Sara Payne’s phone in order to get information about her private life and use it in their articles. This betrayal shocked Sara and the public, and it led to a massive backlash against the newspaper.
In response to the scandal, Sara and her supporters launched a campaign to bring Sarah’s Law to the UK. This law would give parents the right to ask the police if someone with access to their child was a sex offender, similar to Megan’s Law in the United States. The campaign gained widespread support from the public and politicians, and in 2008, Sarah’s Law was officially implemented.
The creation of Sarah’s Law was a significant victory for Sara Payne and all those who had been affected by the phone hacking scandal. It was a tangible result of their efforts to hold the tabloid accountable for its unethical tactics and to protect children from predators. The law has since been credited with helping to prevent child sexual abuse and giving parents peace of mind knowing who is in contact with their children.
The phone hacking scandal at the News of the World was a dark period in journalism history, but out of it came a beacon of hope in the form of Sarah’s Law. Thanks to the dedication and perseverance of Sara Payne and her supporters, this important piece of legislation is now helping to keep children safe from harm.