{"links":{"self":"https://preview.epetitions.website/archived/petitions/63374.json"},"data":{"type":"archived-petition","id":63374,"parliament":{"period":"2010-2015","government":"Conservative – Liberal Democrat coalition","dissolution_at":"2015-03-30T23:59:59.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Criminal defamation of character made a criminal offence","background":null,"additional_details":"We all depend on our good character to be able to obtain employment and enjoy normal social interaction.\r\nNo-one wants to employ a criminal, a terrorist, a paedophile or a drug pusher or to have anything to do with such socially. At present if someone spreads these slanders it is not a criminal offence even though it is quite obvious that such rumours can destroy your life. Slander is classed as a Tort and you would need to identify the source and take out a civil action - at your own expense. To obtain the evidence needed you would also need to employ a private detective. Obviously the law as it exists provides no protection for anyone who is not enormously wealthy. Criminal defamation of character - accusing someone of being a criminal when they are not - MUST be defined as a criminal act so that the police can investigate and the slanderers be identified as the criminals they are.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":3,"created_at":"2014-04-04T05:35:34.000Z","updated_at":"2020-02-16T19:29:52.728Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2014-04-04T15:08:52.000Z","closed_at":"2015-03-30T22:59:59.000Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2014-04-04T05:35:34.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_at":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[],"signatures_by_constituency":[],"signatures_by_region":[],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}