A mother and her twin daughter are advocating for stricter measures against parents who cause serious harm to their children, aiming to prevent them from having any contact with the children or their siblings. Jo Early, aged 54, expressed her discontent with the fact that Gavin Gibbs, who was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to their son, Charlie, still had access to their daughter, Abi, following his imprisonment. Despite being cleared of murder, Gibbs was found guilty of breaking Charlie’s arm, leading Jo to push for a change in the law to automatically revoke parental rights in cases of child harm or murder.
Jo shared her emotional journey with the Mirror, highlighting the psychological impact of allowing perpetrators access to their young children. Abi, who received sporadic communication and gifts from Gibbs until she turned 18, expressed the confusion and emotional turmoil caused by these interactions. Gibbs, initially sentenced to three years for his actions, had his sentence reduced to two years after a successful appeal and was released after serving 11 months.
Jo has been actively campaigning for the removal of parental rights in cases of child harm, seeking support from key figures such as Baroness Alison Levitt KC and Victims’ Rights Commissioner Claire Waxman. She aims to have these changes incorporated into existing legislation or through a separate Parental Responsibility Act. The tragic events unfolded after Jo’s twins were born, with Charlie’s untimely death revealing the extent of his injuries, including a fractured skull, broken arm, and leg.
Claire Waxman OBE, the Victims Commissioner for England and Wales, has lent her support to Jo’s cause, emphasizing the need for further measures to protect victims and children from abusive parents retaining parental responsibility despite committing serious offenses. To show support for Jo’s campaign, individuals are encouraged to sign her petition through the provided link.
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