Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act 1889
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to, and better Protection of, Children. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 52 & 53 Vict. c. 44 |
| Territorial extent |
|
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 26 August 1889 |
| Commencement | 26 August 1889[c] |
| Repealed | 21 August 1894 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Poor Law Amendment Act 1868 |
| Amended by |
|
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act 1889[a] (52 & 53 Vict. c. 44), commonly known as the Children's Charter,[1] was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (as it then was).
It was the first act of Parliament for the prevention of cruelty to children. It enabled the state to intervene, for the first time, in relations between parents and children. Police could arrest or investigate anyone found ill-treating a child, and enter a home if a child was thought to be in danger. The act included guidelines on the child labor laws and outlawed begging.[2]
Subsequent developments
The whole act was was repealed by section 28(2) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict. c. 41), which came into force on 21 August 1984.[3]
Notes
- ^ a b Section 19.
- ^ Section 16.
- ^ The Acts of Parliament (Commencement) Act 1793.
References
- ^ Batty, David (18 May 2005). "Timeline: a history of child protection". The Guardian.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ "Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act 1894", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, Vict/57-58 c. 41
External links
- Text of the Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act 1889 as originally enacted or made within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.