Cecily Zamora
Helen's Law is a proposed law that would require murderers and paedophiles to reveal the location of their victims before being considered for parole. The law is named after Helen McCourt, a 22-year-old insurance clerk who was murdered in 1988, and whose body has never been found. The bill was introduced in Parliament in January 2020 and received Royal Assent in November 2020. To support Helen's Law, you can sign petitions, spread awareness, and contact your local representatives to express your support for the law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To ensure that murderers and paedophiles disclose information about their victims and reveal the location of their bodies before they are considered for parole |
| Parole Board's role | To consider the withholding of information when deciding if an offender should be released |
| Existing practice | Parole Board's guidance already considers offenders who withhold information as a potential risk to the public and may deny them parole |
| Sentencing | The Criminal Justice Act 2003 allows courts to impose longer sentences on those who conceal the location of their victims |
| Implementation | The law will apply to paedophiles who refuse to identify their victims or make indecent images of children without identifying them |
| Campaigning | The law is a result of campaigning by Marie McCourt, mother of Helen McCourt, who was murdered in 1988, and her body was never found |
| Impact | The law demonstrates the government's focus on sentencing issues and suggests a tougher sentencing framework may be imminent |
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What You'll Learn
- Sign the petition to introduce Helen's Law
- Understand the law's purpose and its application to paedophiles
- Learn about the Parole Board's current stance on withholding information
- Contact your local MP to express your support for the law
- Share information about Helen's Law on social media to raise awareness
Sign the petition to introduce Helen's Law
In 1988, 22-year-old Helen McCourt was murdered. Ian Simms was convicted of her murder, but he never revealed the location of her body. Marie McCourt, Helen's mother, campaigned tirelessly to change the law so that murderers must disclose the location of their victims before they can be considered for parole. This campaign became known as Helen's Law.
Helen's Law would make it a legal requirement for the Parole Board to consider the withholding of information about a victim when deciding whether to release an offender. Offenders who refuse to disclose information about their victims could spend longer in prison. This includes murderers who hide the body of their victim and paedophiles who make indecent images of children but do not identify their victims.
The proposed law would not amount to much of a change in criminal sentencing. The Parole Board already considers the withholding of information as a potential risk to the public. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 specifically refers to an aggravating factor in sentencing being the "concealment, destruction or dismemberment of the body". However, Helen's Law would make the Parole Board's established practice a legal requirement.
You can support Helen's Law by signing the petition to introduce it as a legal requirement. By signing the petition, you can help to bring more transparency and accountability to the parole process and improve the support provided to victims. You can also show your support for Marie McCourt and the tireless campaigning she has done to bring attention to this important issue.
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Understand the law's purpose and its application to paedophiles
Helen's Law is a law that was passed in the UK in 2020, following campaigning by Marie McCourt, the mother of Helen McCourt, who was murdered in 1988. The law requires the Parole Board to consider whether prisoners have cooperated with inquiries when assessing them for release. This includes murderers who refuse to disclose the location of their victim's body and paedophiles who make indecent images of children but do not identify their victims.
The law is specifically aimed at ensuring that dangerous criminals, including murderers and paedophiles, are kept in prison for longer if they do not provide information about their victims. This could include information such as the location of a victim's body or the identification of victims in indecent images. The law makes it clear that offenders who withhold this type of information may still pose a risk to the public and therefore could be denied parole.
In terms of its application to paedophiles, Helen's Law is intended to address cases where individuals have been convicted of creating indecent images of children but have not identified their victims. For example, the case of Vanessa George, who abused infants at a nursery school but never formally identified which children she harmed. By requiring the Parole Board to consider the failure to identify victims as a factor in parole assessments, the law aims to provide more accountability and ensure that offenders are held responsible for their actions.
The impact of Helen's Law on sentencing practices for paedophiles is that it gives the Parole Board the ability to extend sentences for those who do not identify their victims. This is in addition to the existing ability of the courts to impose longer sentences for those who conceal the location of their victims, as outlined in the Criminal Justice Act 2003. The law also sends a message that the non-disclosure of information about victims is a serious issue that will be taken into account when considering parole, potentially leading to more offenders providing answers and closure to families.
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Learn about the Parole Board's current stance on withholding information
The Parole Board's current stance on withholding information varies across different jurisdictions. For instance, in Scotland, the Parole Board considers cases as per the Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 2001, which have undergone multiple amendments over the years, making them more complex and inaccessible.
A public consultation was held between 20 July and 12 October 2022 to focus on modernizing and simplifying the 2001 Rules. One of the proposed changes included adding a provision that expressly provides for the appointment of a "Special Advocate" to scrutinize the non-disclosure of damaging information in parole proceedings. This ensures fairness when such information is withheld from the person to whom the case relates. The consultation also proposed adding to the list of reasons for withholding damaging information, such as when disclosure would pose a risk to national security.
In the United States, the Board of Parole Hearings in California conducts parole suitability proceedings and nonviolent offender parole reviews for incarcerated adults under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Board includes commissioners, deputy commissioners, forensic psychologists, investigators, and administrative and legal staff. The Board of Parole Hearings aims to protect and preserve public safety while ensuring due process for all individuals under its jurisdiction.
In Connecticut, the Board of Pardons and Paroles (BOPP) is responsible for parole decisions. When an offender is admitted to the Department of Correction for a sentence of more than two years, they are required to participate in the Parole Orientation Program. Shortly after sentencing, the offender meets with members of the DOC and BOPP. The BOPP staff member explains the parole eligibility designation, and the DOC staff develops an Offender Accountability Plan (OAP) for the period of incarceration. This plan outlines the expectations for the offender and the basis for future release decisions. Parole hearings are typically scheduled approximately six months before an offender's eligibility date to allow for the necessary paperwork, case review, and compilation for Board review.
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Contact your local MP to express your support for the law
Helen's Law is a proposed piece of legislation that would require murderers and paedophiles to disclose information about their victims before being considered for parole. The law is named after Helen McCourt, a 22-year-old insurance clerk who was murdered in 1988. Her killer, Ian Simms, was convicted but never revealed the location of Helen's body.
To support Helen's Law, you can contact your local MP to express your views and encourage them to advocate for the law's passage. Here are some steps you can take:
- Identify your local MP: You can find your local MP by searching for your constituency on the UK Parliament website or by using online tools provided by organisations like WriteToThem, which can help you find your MP and facilitate sending a message.
- Gather information about Helen's Law: Familiarise yourself with the details of Helen's Law, its purpose, and its potential impact. Understand the context, including the campaigning efforts of Marie McCourt, Helen's mother, and how the law would affect sentencing and parole decisions.
- Prepare your message: Consider drafting a letter or email outlining your support for Helen's Law and why it is important to you. You can include personal perspectives, experiences, or beliefs that motivate your advocacy for the law.
- Contact your MP: Send your letter or email to your MP's office. You can usually find their contact information on their official websites or the UK Parliament website. If you prefer a physical letter, you can send it to their constituency or parliamentary office.
- Follow up: After contacting your MP, consider following up to confirm receipt and to gauge their response to your message. They may provide insights into their position on the law or any actions they intend to take.
- Encourage others: Share your efforts with friends, family, and social media networks to encourage others to contact their local MPs as well. Collective action can amplify the impact of your individual efforts.
By contacting your local MP, you can make your voice heard and contribute to the push for legislative change. It is important to engage with your elected representatives and advocate for issues that matter to you.
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Share information about Helen's Law on social media to raise awareness
Social media platforms offer a powerful tool to raise awareness about Helen's Law and gather support for its implementation. Here are some ways to effectively utilize social media to achieve these goals:
Educate Your Audience:
Share informative posts that explain the purpose and significance of Helen's Law. Provide a clear and concise description of what Helen's Law entails, including the fact that it aims to ensure that murderers and paedophiles who refuse to disclose information about their victims or their whereabouts remain in prison for longer and are denied parole. Explain how this law seeks to bring transparency and accountability to the parole process and improve support for victims' families.
Use Hashtags Strategically:
Create and use relevant hashtags such as #HelensLaw, #JusticeForVictims, or #EndImpunity to help your posts reach a wider audience. Hashtags make it easier for people to find and follow the conversation, allowing your message to spread beyond your immediate network.
Share Personal Stories:
Share the story of Helen McCourt, whose tragic murder in 1988 inspired this law. Explain how her mother, Marie McCourt, tirelessly campaigned for this law after her daughter's killer, Ian Simms, was released without revealing the location of Helen's body. Personal stories evoke emotions and help people connect with the cause on a deeper level.
Engage with Influencers and Organizations:
Reach out to social media influencers, celebrities, or organizations who advocate for criminal justice reform, victims' rights, or related causes. Engage with their posts and encourage them to share information about Helen's Law with their followers. Their support can significantly amplify your message and reach a new audience.
Visual Content and Memes:
Create and share visually appealing content, such as infographics or memes, that highlight key aspects of Helen's Law. Visual content is often more engaging and shareable, increasing the likelihood of your message being spread across different social media platforms.
Provide Updates and News:
Keep your followers informed about the progress of Helen's Law. Share news articles, government updates, and milestones, such as the law being introduced in Parliament or receiving Royal Assent. This demonstrates momentum and encourages people to continue supporting the cause.
Remember to always maintain a respectful tone in your posts and be mindful of the sensitivity of the topic. By sharing information about Helen's Law on social media, you can play a crucial role in raising awareness, generating support, and ultimately helping to bring about positive changes in the criminal justice system.
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Frequently asked questions
Helen's Law is a law that would ensure that murderers and paedophiles who refuse to disclose information about their victims spend longer in prison.
Helen's Law was proposed to ensure that murderers must reveal the location of their victim before they were considered for parole.
Helen's Law was named after Helen McCourt, a 22-year-old insurance clerk who was murdered in 1988. Her killer has never revealed her body's location.
You can support Helen's Law by signing the petition to introduce Helen's Law on Change.org.
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