Jail those who ignore child abuse, says Cameron

At first glance, this looks like a very promising headline – certainly any high profile debate on child protection is welcome. Yet the detail of Cameron’s proposals reveals an apparent attempt to extend ‘wilful neglect’ to do the job of mandatory reporting – for which there is simply no substitute, if we are to achieve an effective child protection framework. As Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Home Secretary, rightly says - the plan does not go far enough. “Stronger laws are needed to protect children. The government should bring forward a legal duty to report child abuse.” And surely this legal duty to report should not be limited to sexual abuse, in which case there would still be no obligation for staff to formally report the suffering Daniel - and others like him, most recently Blake Fowler (7) - endured and continue to endure, in full view of professionals with a 'duty of care' for their well-being. Child protection will be the subject of much debate in the time that is left before the next General Election. On this, the third anniversary of Daniel’s death, it is reassuring to see child protection firmly on the national agenda and in the election manifesto of every major party. Signatures for Daniel’s Law stand at 190,000 and, together with the Mandate Now pressure group, we number well over 200,000. Please help continue to bring pressure to bear on government; let’s make certain proposed new legislation goes far enough to provide vulnerable children with protection against all forms of abuse. Please keep signing and sharing our petition - it's time for change. Thank you. Paula #danielslaw #mandatenow