Criminology unit 2- how campaigns affect policy making

Give two examples of newspaper campaigns.

Sarah’s Law campaign, and A Year and a Day Rule campaign

Explain what the Sarah’s Law campaign was about.

The campaign began after 8 year old Sarah was abducted and murdered by a previously convicted child sex offender who was living in their area. The family were adamant that if they had known about Whiting being in the area, they would have taken steps to protect her.

Who was involved and what were the key methods used in Sarah’s Law campaign?

The campaign was started by Sara and Micheal Payne, who were Sarah’s parents. The campaign was championed by the News of the World. In July 2000 they launched the name and shame campaign which revealed the names of paedophiles on the front page of the newspaper. The newspaper also published a petition which gained over a million signatures.

What were the legal changes introduced as a result of the Sarah Payne campaign?

As a result, the child sex offender disclosure scheme was introduced throughout England and Wales in 2011. It meant that anyone could ask the police if someone in contact with a child has record of child sexual offences.

What was the Year and a Day Rule campaign about?

The campaign began after Michael Gibson was assaulted by David Clark in April 1922. Michale died after being in a coma for 22 months. Due to the year and a day rule which stated that if victims of an assault lived for a year and a day, attackers could not be tried for murder, Clark was charged with gbh and was only jailed for 2 years. He was freed before Michael died.

Who were the key parties involved and what were the methods used in the year and a day rule campaign?

Michael’s mother Pat sought to change this law. The Northern Echo newspaper helped Pat by launching the Justice for Michale campaign urging its readers to sign a petition for the law to be abolished. The Echo published a front page photo of Michael in a coma on a hospital bed. Thousands of readers signed.

What was the legal change introduced as a result of the year and a day rule campaign?

As a result, the 1966 Law Reform Act abolished the year and a day rule after the petition was delivered to the Law Commission.It allowed murder charges for victims who lived beyond a year and a day after an assault.

Give two examples of individual campaigns

Clares law and Anne Ming Double Jeopardy Law.

What was Clare’s Law campaign about?

The campaign began after Clare Wood was beaten raped and strangled by her former partner who had a history of convictions for violence against women. Clare’s father was convinced that if she had known the full extent of her partners previous violent behaviour then she would still be alive today.

Who were the key parties involved and what method were used in Clare’s Law campaign?

Michale Brown, Clare’s father, was the key party behind this campaign. He wanted to change the law to enable women to know about their partners violent past. Helped by Key 103 radio station, Michael worked for 4 years gathering evidence, organising petitions, and winning support from charities, politicians and the media for a change in the law. He also visited the House of Commons where he was cheered for.

What legal change was introduced as a result of Clare’s Law campaign?

The campaign led to the introduction of the Domestic Violence Disclosure scheme in 2014 which was introduced in all 43 police forces in England and Wales. This allowed the public to apply to the police to disclose information about their own partner or the partner of someone they know.

What was Ann Ming’s campaign about?

This campaign began after Anne Ming’s daughter, Julie was murdered by William Dunlop in 1989. The jury could not reach a verdict so he was formally cleared. He later confessed to killing Julie however the double jeopardy law prevented a second prosecution for the same offence which meant he was free. Ann Ming wanted this law abolished.

Who were the key parties involved in Ann Ming’s double jeopardy law campaign and what methods were used?

Julie’s mother, Ann Ming was the key figure behind this campaign. She aimed to have the double jeopardy law abolished. She took her campaign to newspapers, radios, television and many politicians. The campaign lasted for over 17 years until she was later awarded an MVE for her dedication.

What legal change was introduced as a result of the Ann Ming campaign?

The Criminal Justice Act (2003) abolished the double jeopardy law for 30 serious offences including murder.

Give two examples of pressure group campaigns.

Protection Against Stalking (PAS) and INQUEST.

What was the protection against stalking campaign about?

The campaign wanted to make stalking a specific offence as the 1997 anti harassment law did not specifically refer to stalking. An example of a stalking victim was Claire Benal who was shot dead by her stalker in 2005. Her killer had been due in court the following week for harassing her. The campaign began due to the fact that the CJS dealt with stalking in a haphazard way with victims not being taking seriously e.g. there were only 70 prosecutions in ten years under the 1997 act.

What methods were used by the Protection Against stalking campaign?

The campaign set up an independent parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry lasted several months and heard from victims, relatives, academic experts, lawyers, police etc. The inquiry was published in Feb 2022 and concluded that authorities responded inadequately. The pressure group also lobbied individual MP’s who could actually change the law and managed to get support from all political parties. They also kept the campaign in the public eye through press releases to the media.

What legal change was introduced as a result of the protection against stalking campaign.

The campaign led to the introduction of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 which made stalking a criminal offence.

What was the INQUEST campaign about?

This campaign focuses on state related deaths e.g. those of people in police custody, prisons, psychiatric care etc. It has been involved in many inquests including deaths in the Grenfell Tower fire and the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

What methods does the INQUEST campaign use?

The campaign carries out special casework to support bereaved people. It aims to ensure that state institutions are held accountable. Additionally, it gathers evidence from its casework, conducts research and uses its information to press public bodies to change policies.

What legal change has been introduced as a result of the Inquest campaign?

• The 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act was extended to cover deaths in the custody of public authorities.

• The Hillsborough Law makes it a legal requirement for the police to be honest.

• Introduced the IPCC which is the independent body that will handle complaints about the police.