Make sibling abuse legally recognised as a form of domestic abuse
We want the Government to legally recognise sibling abuse as a form of domestic abuse, and update safeguarding policies, child protection guidance, and adult support services to reflect this.
Signatures
7
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 7/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 7/100,000
- 18 SEPT 2025Petition rejectedalready-happening
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 already covers relatives: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2021/17/section/2
- 20 AUG 2025Petition created
Background
Sibling abuse is one of the most common but least recognised forms of family violence. Survivors are often left without protection or support because current domestic abuse laws and safeguarding frameworks do not explicitly cover abuse between siblings.
This affects both children & adults.In childhood,sibling abuse is often dismissed as rivalry, leaving victims unprotected. In adulthood,abuse from siblings are rarely recognised in domestic abuse laws. Preventing survivors from getting support.