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The Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Geraldine Hanna has welcomed the announcement by Finance Minister John O’Dowd that he will bring forward legislation to introduce ‘Jade’s Law’ in Northern Ireland.
The law, introduced in England & Wales in the wake of the murder of Jade Ward by her ex-partner, automatically removes parental responsibility in the event of domestic homicide.
“It is difficult to fathom that under the current law, if a person murders their partner, or indeed attempts to murder them, they can still retain parental responsibility for their shared children. The government in England & Wales has responded to this appalling anomaly by introducing Jade’s Law, which will automatically suspend parental rights in the event of domestic homicide. I welcome that our Finance Minister has given his commitment to bring in a similar law here. I look forward to engaging with the Minister and the wider Assembly to ensure that our law provides the strongest protection for children in these circumstances."