Basically, Child Tax Credit is help from government to parents of children under 16 to go towards the cost of upbringing. This payment is however to be limited to two children per household with an exception for a child born as a result of “non-consensual conception”. This is the so-called ‘rape clause’.
It states that a woman can claim for a third or subsequent child if it was conceived “as a result of a sexual act which you didn’t or couldn’t consent to” or “at a time when you were in an abusive relationship, under ongoing control or coercion by the other parent of the child”.
A woman cannot claim this exemption if she lives with the other parent of the child.
However, it states she can qualify whether or not there has been a court case or conviction of a criminal offence.
Many people have criticised the requirement including the First Minister on the backdrop that women should not be subjected to such requirements to prove rape before they can get help towards the upbringing of their child. What do you think guys, is it a wrong policy or good intention gone bad?
