Jade's Law Equivalent in Northern Ireland - Peaceful Gathering in Londonderry Guildhall 29th May.

Campaigners welcome first steps towards Jade's Law for N. Ireland

Campaigners behind moves to introduce the Jade's Law equivalent for N. Ireland have said they are pleased at progress to date as they work to change legislation to protect the children and families of murder victims here.

The drive to introduce Jade's Law is being led by human rights advocate Edwin Duggan, who successfully delivered the campaign to have legislation changed in England and Wales by creating the legal framework that the Ministry of Justice followed and adapted to be placed into the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. It was supported by the parents of Jade Ward, who was murdered by her ex-partner in 2021, and led to the successful amendment of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in Westminster.

Thousands of local people recently signed an online petition calling on the N. Ireland Assembly to take immediate steps to incorporate the principles of Jade's Law into the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc.) Bill, ensuring that families here receive the same protections now afforded to those in England and Wales.

Parties across the political spectrum have given their backing to the campaign and the first steps have now been taken towards changing the law here. Work is also ongoing in the South of Ireland where Valerie's Law, which proposes similar protections, is on the priority list for publication in the Spring 2026 legislative programme. If successful, it would mean families across the island of Ireland would have equal protection, and that convicted individuals must prove why they should retain any legal rights over their children.

A meeting took place this week with Michael Foster, Head of Civil Law Reform at the Department of Finance, and speaking afterwards Mr Duggan said it was a positive first step in initiating change.

"This campaign is about ensuring the rights of the convicted killer never outweigh the welfare of the child," Mr Duggan stressed. "Northern Ireland has an opportunity right now to incorporate a Jade's Law equivalent into the Criminal Justice Bill currently before the Assembly. Policy changes across departments are necessary and there is now a growing wave of support from the public to introduce these measures and stop the ongoing distress and suffering of victims' families that is enabled through the current system.

"We're very encouraged by the positive engagement to date and by the cross-party support emerging across Northern Ireland, alongside parallel progress being made in the South through Valerie's Law. Families across these islands deserve equal protection and we remain committed to working with legislators and political representatives to ensure children affected by the murder of a parent are protected from further trauma and injustice."

A public event in support of Jade's Law will take place in the Guildhall Square on Friday May 29 at 4pm and all are encouraged to attend.

You can read the statement from Minister O'Dowd on the Department of Finance's commitment to removing parental responsibility in cases of domestic homicide. https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/news/odowd-commits-removing-parental-responsibility-cases-domestic-homicide

Follow the campaign for Jade's Law equivalent on Social Media https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570749725019