Petitions/Lower the age that someone can be considered a victim of domestic abuse
StatusClosed
Opened4 Feb 2025
Closes4 Aug 2025
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

The law defines domestic abuse as abusive behaviour by one person towards another, where both people are 16 or over. We think this should be changed. Our daughter Holly, aged 15, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend and we think this case should have been looked at in the context of domestic abuse.

We need to safeguard children. We believe under 16s should be able to be considered victims of domestic abuse, and that kids need more education about domestic abuse within a relationship and access to domestic abuse services. I’d like the age to be lowered so under 16s can get the help they need if they find themselves in an abusive relationship.

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Constituency engagement ranking

Joe Morris
1Joe Morris MP
Hexham
434
Liz Twist
2Liz Twist MP
Blaydon and Consett
150
Luke Akehurst
3Luke Akehurst MP
North Durham
33
Emma Foody
4Emma Foody MP
Cramlington and Killingworth
32
Dame Chi Onwurah
5Dame Chi Onwurah MP
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
24
Ian Lavery
6Ian Lavery MP
Blyth and Ashington
22
Mark Ferguson
7Mark Ferguson MP
Gateshead Central and Whickham
22
Catherine McKinnell
8Catherine McKinnell MP
Newcastle upon Tyne North
19
Sir Alan Campbell
9Sir Alan Campbell MP
Tynemouth
18
Mary Glindon
10Mary Glindon MP
Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
15
Lower the age that someone can be considered a victim of domestic abuse — Petitions