By M10News Politics Desk |© 2025 M10News.
LONDON – Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde has revealed he was physically abused as a young child in a powerful personal account aimed at pushing for urgent reform of domestic abuse legislation in the UK.
The Eastbourne MP, who also serves as the Lib Dems’ justice spokesperson, spoke publicly about his experience for the first time, saying he wanted “no kid to go through” what he endured.
Babarinde described being abused by his mother’s former partner from the age of four, recalling the trauma of crying himself to sleep “hearing shouts, hearing screams and things smash”.
“I felt safe at school,” he said. “But at home, it was like treading on eggshells.”
Opening up was “difficult”, Babarinde admitted, but now in his thirties, he said he’s “proud of the resilience of that kid.”
Diary Entry Brings Back Painful Memories
Babarinde recently found his childhood diary filled with Star Wars doodles, including a haunting entry written during a distressing moment in the bathroom:
“I’m really going to try to go (to the toilet) but I can’t. Oh my goodness, I’m gonna be in so much trouble… I still haven’t done anything, I’m going to get smacked so hard.”
Reflecting on it, he said: “It was mortifying. An abuser takes away your sense of self-worth.”
Push for Legal Reform
Babarinde is now urging the government to make domestic abuse a specific criminal offence—arguing that without a clear classification, many abusers hide behind broader charges like assault.
He also criticised the Ministry of Justice’s early release scheme, which he says cannot track or exclude domestic abusers due to the absence of a formal offence category.
“It’s impossible to know how many domestic abusers are currently in prison,” he said. “So perpetrators are slipping through the net, and victims have no warning their abuser is being released.”
The MP warned that without proper notice, survivors can’t make safety plans—such as moving home, changing their children’s schools, or altering daily routines.
“That commitment to exclude abusers was important,” he stressed. “But it’s meaningless if we don’t know who the abusers are.”
Ministry Responds
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said:
“Our thoughts are with all victims of domestic abuse – it takes immense courage to speak out.
We are building a justice system that puts victims first – strengthening support, increasing transparency, and giving people the confidence to come forward and be heard.”
Babarinde’s call comes amid rising pressure on the government to overhaul how domestic abuse is recognised and prosecuted in the justice system.
Editing by M10News Politics Desk | Contact: info@m10news.com
© 2025 M10News
