PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Make child abandonment by a parent a criminal offence
We call on the Government to update child protection and family law by making child abandonment by a parent a criminal offence.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
55
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 55/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 55/100,000
Background
Abandonment is classed as neglect, but we believe absent parents face no accountability and scrutiny falls on the parent who stays. Making child abandonment by a parent a criminal offence could ensure the system is fairer and both parents are held equally responsible.