There have been lots of upsetting cases of child abuse and neglect in the news recently. Hearing these tragic stories has been heart-wrenching.

With this in mind, I was shocked to find out that the law on child neglect is 80 years old. Because it was written so long ago, it doesn’t include emotional neglect. This type of abuse, such as on-going scapegoating or humiliation, is now known to leave children with mental scars that can last a lifetime.

I hope your readers will join me in supporting Action for Children’s campaign to update the law. By visiting www.actionforchildren.org.uk/changeneglectlaw they can find out more and ask their MP to join our campaign.

Thousands of people and organisations across the UK are already involved and together we’re increasing the pressure on Government to make sure we have laws in place that really protect children.

Polly Hofmann

E4