Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act 1889

For other pieces of legislation known as the "Children's Charter", see Children's Charter.

The Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act, 1889^[1]

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to, and better Protection of, Children.
Statute book chapter	52 & 53 Vict. c.44
Dates
Royal Assent	26 August 1889
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

The Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act 1889, commonly known as the Children's Charter,^[2] 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 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 employment of children and outlawed begging.^[3]

References

1. ^ This short title was conferred by section 19
2. ^ David Batty, Timeline: a history of child protection, The Guardian, 18 May 2005
3. ^ Ibid.

External links

• The Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act 1889, as originally enacted, from the Office of Public Sector Information.