Families Outside supports families in Scotland affected by imprisonment across a range of areas (including housing, finance and emotional support).

A number of families using these services have reported issues where, after their family member has been sent to prison, the family name and address has been published in the press (both local and national). These issues can often include social stigmatisation, targeted harassment and child protection.

As a result, Families Outside has launched a new campaign, #NoAddressInThePress, with an online petition aiming to change Scottish legislation and prevent private addresses being published in the media.

The campaign aims for legislation to match the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child, and the Council of Europe Recommendation Article 55, which states that, “Information provided to, and by, the media should not violate the right to privacy and protection of children and their families, including data protection rules, and any media reporting should be carried out in a child-friendly manner.” Families Outside hopes that, by changing Scottish legislation, families affected by imprisonment will no longer worry about facing the following issues:

vigilante groups visiting the home address
children being targeted or bullied at school, and often being removed from school
increased anxiety and fear of leaving the house in case they face further incidents
inaccuracies in reporting, which can go unrecorded for fear the media reprint the story, causing the family even more negative attention

To sign the petition, or for further information, please visit the Change.org petition page.