Justice for Survivors: Reform Sentencing for Historical Child Abuse
Survivors of historical child abuse continue to be let down by a justice system that does not reflect the true gravity of their suffering. Under current laws, courts are required to apply sentencing guidelines that were in effect at the time the crimes were committed — not the more stringent standards we uphold today.
This outdated approach often results in extremely light sentences, even in cases involving:
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Prolonged and repeated abuse
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Degrading, violent, or sadistic treatment
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Use of weapons or significant physical force
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Deliberate neglect of a child’s well-being
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Willful failure to protect a child from known harm
For offences committed before 2005, the maximum sentence is only two years, even when the abuse was severe. Today, those same acts would carry a sentence of up to 14 years, acknowledging the profound, lifelong impact that abuse has on its victims.
This disparity is not just unjust — it’s unacceptable.
We are urging lawmakers to reform the legislation and allow courts to impose sentences that match the seriousness of the crime, regardless of when it occurred. Abuse leaves scars that do not fade with time. The law must acknowledge that pain and hold perpetrators fully accountable.
Justice delayed must not mean justice denied.
By signing the petition, you send a clear message: every survivor deserves justice, and society must evolve to protect and support them — past and present.