PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Recognise smear campaigns as abuse and strengthen legal protections for victims
Recognise smear campaigns as a form of psychological abuse and strengthen legal protection for victim survivors, including consideration of criminal accountability where smear campaigns are used to silence, intimidate, discredit or retaliate against disclosures of abuse. Smear campaigns cause harm.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
6
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 6/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 6/100,000
Background
Smear campaigns are a harmful practice used against victim survivors after disclosing abuse. They occur not only in intimate partner relationships, but also in workplaces, professional settings and communities, where false allegations, reputation damage, and isolation are used to silence and punish disclosures. These actions cause serious psychological, professional, and social harm, yet are often dismissed as civil disputes instead of criminal. Victims need stronger recognition and protection.