THE WEST Midlands Victims’ Commissioner has thrown her support behind a new law which officially classifies children conceived through rape as victims of crime.
The changes, due to be made in the Victims Bill, will give those conceived as a result of rape access to information about their case.
The Centre for Women’s Justice, dubbed the changes ‘Daisy’s Law’, lobbied the government to make the alteration.
It comes from the case of a campaigner who was born as a result of a rape in the 1970s.
When the bill becomes law it will entitle people to make a complaint to the police, in their own right – and to receive information and access support in the same way as any other victim of crime.
The West Midlands Victims’ Commissioner, Nicky Brennan, said: “This is a momentous decision for all who have supported this campaign and I want to congratulate Daisy and the Centre for Women’s Justice for securing this major change in law.
“I hope this means that there can now be more specific support for individuals and families affected by rape conception It is important on so many levels and it is critical that we ensure children conceived of rape receive the right support, criminal justice and multi-agency response throughout their lives.
“This will change things for the better for so many people and it will be a great source of strength for all who have been born of rape. Nobody in this situation should have to suffer alone, which is why I have been a staunch supporter of Daisy’s Law.”
