AC 4.3 (discuss how campaigns affect policy making) Flashcards
3 types of campaigns.
Newspaper.
Individual.
Pressure group.
Individual campaigns.
Lillian’s Law
Ann Mings campaign against double jeopardy.
Clare’s Law.
Newspaper campaigns.
Sarah’s Law.
Pressure group campaigns.
British Lung Foundation.
The Howard League for Penal Reform.
Lillian’s Law.
How/why: Lillian groves (14) killed by drugged driver, at police station no drugs could be found in his system and only in jail for 8 weeks.
Key parties: met with David Cameron.
Actual law introduced: Lillian’s Law section 5A of Road Traffic Act 1998, now, offenders found guilty of drug driving will receive 12 month driving ban, 6 months in jail and £5000 fine.
Success?: 1442 conviction in 2016
Ann Ming’s campaign.
How/why: The double jeopardy law prevents a second prosecution for the same offence after and acquittal for conviction. Billy Dunlop killed Julie Hogg, he was formally cleared and later admitted to the murder but the double jeopardy law prevented him from going back on trial for murder.
Key parties: Ann Ming campaigned to abolish the 80 year old law to get justice.
How it tried to change the law: she took her campaign to newspapers, radio and television stations and politicians.
Actual law changed: Criminal Justice Act 2003 double jeopardy was abolished for 30 serious offences. Dunlop was the first person to be convicted for murder under the new law, serving a life sentence.
Clare’s Law.
How/why: Clare Wood was raped, strangled to death and set on fire by her violent partner, her father said she would still be alive if she knew the full extent of her partners previous violent behaviour.
Key parties: Michael Brown (father)
Actual law changed: Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme - some people can make enquiries about an individual they are in a relationship with to see if they have a history of domestic violence.
Sarah’s Law.
How/why: 2000 - Sarah Payne (8) abducted and murdered by Roy Whiting who had previously been jailed for kidnapping and assaulting a 9 year old. He was also on the Sex Offenders Register. The family said if they knew Whiting was in the area they would have been more cautious.
Key parties: Sarah’s parents campaigned for information about sex offenders to be available to the public. News of the World published names and photos of 50 sexual offenders however this caused a vigilante effect and police criticised the campaign.
Changing ideas: another girl was kidnapped and sexually assaulted causing the government to change their mind. Looked at Megan’s Law in US (where parents could access information about local paedophiles).
Actual law changed: 2011 Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme extended over England and Wales - allowed parents to make enquiries about names individuals to protect their child.
British Lung Foundation.
How/why: aims to prevent lung disease by campaigning for positive change in the UK’s lung health. Raises awareness about lung disease, causes and prevention.
Key parties: BFL.
How it changed the law: 50,000 signatures on a petition in 2011 to ban smoking in cars with children. Produces research about effects of secondhand smoking.
Actual law changed: Children and Families Act 2014 banned smoking in cars with children (England and Wales). Also changed packaging - no longer colourful.
The Howard League for Penal Reform.
How/why: aims for less crime, sagger communities and fewer people in prisons.
‘UR Boss’ - improve you for peoples experience in the criminal justice system.
Key parties: included young people in custody and the community to campaign for change.
Policy changed and success: UR Boss changed the policy concerning young people- ending routine strip search on arrival at Youth Offenders Institutions, closing all Young Offender Institution units for girls, 17 year olds treated as children.
