AC 4.3 Explain how Campaigns Effect Policy Making

• What are the three types of campaigns that can affect policy making?

  individual, newspaper, pressure group
• what are three newspaper campaigns that can affect policy making?

  Sarah's Law, Justice for Michael, Zombie Knives
• Why are newspaper's effective in policy development?

  they have a wide reach meaning more people will hear about and support the campaign
• why was Sarah's Law campaign set up?

  -young girl named Sarah was killed by a man with a history of sexual offences.
• what methods were used to campaign for Sarah's Law?

  - backed by Sarah's parents and The News of the World newspaper who published 50 they claimed were paedophiles and promised to continue to release more until all were revealed.
• what policy was introduced as a result of The News of the World's campaign?

  the Sexual Offender Disclosure Scheme was introduced throughout England and Wales in 2011.
• Why was the Justice for Michael campaign set up?

  -Michael Gibson was attacked by Davis Clark leaving him in a 16 month coma, until he died.

  -the Year and a Day Rule meant that David Clark could only by tried for GBH and not murder.
• What methods did the Northern Echo used in Michael's campaign?

  -urged readers to sign a petition to change the law

  -published a picture of Michael in a coma on the front page.
• What policy changed as a result the Justice for Michael campaign?


  1996- Law Reform Act which abolished the year and a day rule.
• What lead to the Zombie Knives Campaign?

  -18 year old Stefan Appleton was killed by Blaise Lewinson with a zombie knife.
• What newspaper and methods were used in the Zombie Knives Campaign?

  Express and Star - petition, also got backing from Theresa May, and West midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson
• What policy changed as a result of the Zombie Knives Campaign?

  Zombie Knives banned in 2016 and Offensive Weapons Act in 2019. You can face 6 months to 2 years in prison and fined.
• What are three individual campaigns?

  Sarah's Law, Clare's Law and Harper's Law
• Why was Sarah's Law campaign set up?

  -young girl named Sarah was killed by a man with a history of sexual offences.
• What methods were sued in Sarah's Law campaign before the newspaper got involved?


  -petition - 700,000 handed to home secretary

  -MP support e.g. Paul Boating

  -Led by her mother Sara Payne
• What policy did Sarah's Law lead to?

  Sexual Offender Disclosure Scheme which was introduced in England and Wales in 2011.
• Why was Clare's Law set up?

  -Clare Brown was murdered by her ex-partner George Appleton, who unbeknownst to her, had a history of abuse. She had made complaints to GM police but was ignored.
• What methods were used in Clare's Law?

  -launched by her father Michael Brown

  -went to parliaments advocating for scheme.

  -gained support of MPs e.g. Hazel Blears

  -support from Radio Key 103 reporter Michael Livesey.
• What policy was introduced as a result of Clare's Law?

  the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme was introduced in 2014
• Why was Harper's Law campaign started?

  PC Harper was killed when he was dragged behind a car whilst on duty.
• Who started Harper's campaign and what methods did they use?

  -started by his widow Lissie Harper

  -support from the home secretary and police minister Kitt Malthouse.

  -petition with over 700,000 signatures
• What policy was introduced as a result of Harper's Law?

  Mandatory life sentence for offenders who cause the death of an emergency service worker.
• What are three examples of pressure groups?

  Protection Against Stalking, INQUEST (Hillsborough), The Howard League for Penal Reform .
• Why was PAS started?

  - stalking was not a crime under the 1997 anti-harassment law

  -police were not taking stalking seriously despite there being 120,000 victims a year
• What methods did PAS use?

  -set up an independent parliamentary inquiry - victims voices heard.

  -report published 2012 - received support from 60 MPs and the Police Federation
• What policy did PAS introduce?

  The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• Why did INQUEST start a campaign?

  -Hillsborough football match - police opened gate, orders of David Duckenfield due to overcrowding in the stadium leading to 96 deaths
• what methods did INQUEST use?

  -families of victims spoke out - put pressure on gvt to take responsibility

  -support from MPs e.g. Theresa May

  -ITV drama - highlighted injustices
• Why was the Howard League for Penal Reform set up?

  -improve young people's experience with the CJS

  -worried about treatment of young people in prison & overcrowding

  -2007 to 2014 - 89 young people took their lives in prison
• What methods did the Howard League for Penal reform use?

  -spoke to young people in the CJS to hear their experiences

  -used media platforms to raise awareness about the harms of youth imprisonment

  -interviewed young advisors
• What policies have the Howard League for Penal Reform introduced?


  -ending routine strip searching of youth offenders on arrival

  -give young people an external complaint system

  -change to remand legislation so 17 year old's are treated as children
• What policies were introduced after hills borough?

  Hills borough Charter - in the event of a tragedy gvt activate emergency plan , prioritizing victims and family members

  -place public interest above reputation