This article explores the stories of Jade Ward, Clare Wood and Sarah Payne. Three females whose tragic deaths have led to better protection for victims of abuse.
Jade’s Law
In 2021, Jade was stabbed and strangled in her own home by Russell Marsh, her estranged husband. Whilst Russell was imprisoned to serve at least a 25 year sentence, his parental responsibility for the four children they shared remained. He was still able to determine the school they went to, their GP surgery as well as asking for pictures and updates from them.
To remove Russell’s parental responsibility, Jade’s family would have needed to apply to the court which would likely have led to huge costs as well as long waits. Instead, Jade’s family led a petition to change the law.
It took some time but in May 2024, the Victims and Prisoners Bill was passed creating Jade’s Law. Now, parental responsibility will automatically be suspended for those who have killed someone they have children with.
The court will still have the opportunity to consider if the suspension is in the best interests of the children and there are certain exceptions, but Jade’s Law will help to alleviate the burden on the deceased’s family to remove parental responsibility. It also offers protection to the children of the family as the imprisoned parents are unable to make decisions regarding their lives.
Clare’s Law
Clare Wood was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009. Her father, Michael Brown, led a landmark campaign for greater transparency about those with domestically violent pasts. Had Clare known about her ex-boyfriends past offences, she may have been better protected.
Clare’s Law was rolled out in 2014 and is also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS). It allows a person to make an application to the police for information about a current or past partner if you are worried they pose a risk to you. Close friends, neighbours and family members can also apply for information if they are concerned.
Clare’s Law focuses on the right to ask and the right to know. This means you have the right to ask about a partner that you think may have a record of abusive behaviour and a right to know if you are at risk in future.
In 2021, the Domestic Abuse Bill was passed, brining domestic abuse into the spotlight. It gave Clare’s Law a statutory footing, giving victims a legal right to request information, it is no longer at the discretion of the police.
Sarah’s Law
In the USA in 1994, 7 year old Megan Kanka was murdered by her neighbour who was a known paedophile. Her death led to the introduction of Megan’s Law, requiring US law enforcement to disclosure details relation to the location of registered sex offenders.
Six years later in the UK, 8 year old Sarah Payne was abducted and murdered by Roy Whiting, also known paedophile. The tragedy of her death led Sarah’s parents Michael and Sara to campaign for Sarah’s Law, the British adaptation of Megan’s Law. They teamed up with News of the World and highlighted the success of Megan’s Law overseas.
Sarah’s Law was eventually passed in 2008 and the pilot was a huge success. Parents and carers throughout the UK can now apply for information from the police about someone who has contact with their child. It is important to note that the disclosure cannot be shared with anyone and the police will only share the information if it is lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so for the protection of the child.
In 2023, the Sarah’s Law disclosure process was streamlined to include online applications. This cut timescales from 44 days to 28 days. The data collected over the years shows how successful Sarah’s Law has been in protecting children all over the UK.
It should not take a loss of life for the law to better protect abuse victims and children but these three stories show the resilience and strength of the families involved. If you are worried about yourself, a child or a loved one, contact us now to get the guidance you need.
