Sarah’s Law is a piece of legislation that has been introduced in several countries around the world with the aim of protecting children from harm and abuse. The law is named after Sarah Payne, a young girl who was tragically abducted and murdered in the United Kingdom in 2000.
The campaign for Sarah’s Law was spearheaded by the now-defunct newspaper News of the World. The paper launched a high-profile crusade for child safety in the wake of Sarah Payne’s death, calling for a change in the law to allow parents and communities access to information about convicted child sex offenders living in their area.
News of the World’s campaign struck a chord with the public, who were shocked and appalled by the circumstances of Sarah Payne’s murder. The paper published a petition calling for the introduction of a “Sarah’s Law” in the UK, which garnered over half a million signatures in just a few weeks. The campaign also received the support of Sarah’s mother, Sara Payne, who became a leading advocate for the law’s introduction.
In July 2000, the UK government announced the introduction of the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, more commonly known as Sarah’s Law. This scheme allows parents and carers to request information about individuals who have contact with their children, and who may pose a risk of harm to them. The scheme also enables the police to proactively disclose information about convicted offenders to parents and carers when they believe it is necessary to protect a child.
Since its introduction, Sarah’s Law has been credited with helping to keep children safe from harm. In the years following its implementation, several cases have come to light where individuals have been identified as posing a risk to children thanks to the scheme. This has allowed parents and carers to take appropriate action to protect their children and prevent potential harm.
Despite the closure of News of the World in 2011 due to a phone-hacking scandal, the legacy of the paper’s campaign for Sarah’s Law lives on. The campaign demonstrated the power of the media to advocate for positive change and to shine a light on important issues that affect society. Sarah’s Law stands as a testament to the impact that a determined and well-supported campaign can have in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children.