Background
A similarity between “no knives better lives” and Sarah’s law background is they both were
created due to some sort of tragedy. No knives better lives was created due to a very high
incidence of crime in Scotland. This meant that there was a significant increase of injuries
and death due to knife crime, which led to the No knives better lives campaign starting , to
educate young people about the dangers and possible consequences of carrying or using
knives. Similarly, Sarah’s law was created after the tragic murder of 8 year old Sarah Payne,
committed by a previously convicted paedophile, Roy Whiting. This led to Sarah’s law being
created so parents and guardians could be made aware by the police if there was a
previously convicted paedophile in contact with children in their area.
Add in own campaign
A difference between Sarah’s law and the Unlock campaign is the reason why the campaigns
were created. Sarah’s law was created because after her daughters death in the hands of a
previously convicted paedophile, Sarah’s mother did not agree with the police not letting
people question if someone who was in contact with a child was a paedophile. On the other
hand, Unlock was created to help people with a criminal conviction ,as those who run the
charity believe the disadvantages convicted people face is unfair. They decided to provide
them with support to overcome disadvantages they face due to their criminal record.
Aims
A similarity between Sarah’s law and No knives better lives aims is they both have an aim to
keep those in society safe. Sarah’s law’s aim is to changing a law so parents ware able to
have access to information of anyone living in their area, who has had a previous conviction
for a crime against children. This helps keep those in society safe, as it allows parents to
check if there are paedophiles in their area, so they can keep their children safe from them.
Similarly, No knives better lives aim is to help those in dangerous of becoming involved in
knife crime, become aware of the dangers and consequences of it. They also focus on
schools and colleges, to change their priorities so they now have a role in helping reduce
knife crime. This also helps keep society safe as they are helping reduce young people being
influenced to carry knives or being involved in knife crime, which helps reduce the amount
of injuries and deaths in society.
A difference between Sarah’s law and the Unlock campaign’s aims is Sarah’s law focuses on
increasing the disadvantages convicted people face but Unlock focuses on helping those
who have a criminal record overcome disadvantages. Sarah’s law focused on changing the
law so parents and guardians could find out details about anyone living in their area, who
was previously convicted for crime against children. This stops those who are convicted with
these crimes move on and redeem themselves, as everyone in their area will treat them
differently due to their record. On the other hand, Unlock focuses on helping offenders
move on and help change policies that limit their opportunities. They also help them move
on by providing them with advice and support.