Liz Jarvis MP welcomes constituent’s petition passing 100,000 signatures

Liz Jarvis, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, has welcomed the news that Paris Shears’s petition has reached 100,000 signatures. 

Ms Shears is calling for sentence reductions in coercive control cases to be removed, referring to when defendants charged with controlling or coercive behaviour receive a sentence reduction for a guilty plea entered after pleading initially not guilty.  

It took 530 days for Paris’s case to reach trial, and during that time she had to relive traumatic experiences – and the late-stage guilty plea meant that the defendant got a reduced sentence. 

Paris, who is a constituent of Liz’s, has created a petition which has been signed by over 100,000 people in less than a month. When a petition passes 100,000 signatures, it will be presented to the Petitions Committee, and a debate will be heard in Westminster Hall.

Commenting, Liz Jarvis MP said:

“I am inspired by Paris’s campaign and she has given a voice to victims of coercive control. The fact this petition has reached 100,000 signatures so quickly highlights that Paris’s message has really resonated with people. She should be incredibly proud.” 

“Victims having to wait months, even years for trial, just for the defendant to plead guilty at a late stage, continues the cycle of abuse. 

“A debate means that Paris’s story will be heard right here in Parliament, and I will be pushing the minister to ensure changes are finally made.”