CPS publishes updated guidance for handling of illegal entry cases via small boats – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Prosecutors and law enforcement agencies have agreed a consistent approach to the handling of cases involving illegal entry to the UK via small boats and lorries.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 8th July 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Epidemic of violence against women under way in England and Wales – report – The Guardian

‘Women and girls are being subjected to an epidemic of violence that requires a “radical and bold” shift in how authorities in England and Wales tackle crimes that disproportionately affect female victims, a police watchdog has warned.’

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The Guardian, 7th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Woman speaks out over Elvis performer rape ordeal – BBC News

‘A woman raped by an Elvis impersonator when she was a 15-year-old dancer has said “he no longer controls her life” after he was finally put behind bars.’

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BBC News, 7th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Grenfell Tower fire: Borough called on to admit liability – BBC News

‘Dozens of Grenfell Tower fire survivors have called on a London borough to admit its “liability” for the blaze.’

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BBC News, 7th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Grenfell bereaved and survivors bring multimillion pound case to high court – The Guardian

‘More than 800 bereaved and survivors from Grenfell Tower and 102 firefighters are seeking up to tens of millions of pounds in compensation from organisations involved in the disastrous refurbishment in a case that reaches the high court on Wednesday.’

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The Guardian, 6th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rape victims still face police phone trawl, says commissioner – BBC News

‘Proposals for England and Wales mean people who claim to have been raped will still face pressure to hand over their phones to police and prosecutors, says the victims’ commissioner.’

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BBC News, 17th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Alex Davies death: Mum’s shock after killer moved to hospital – BBC News

‘The mother of a murder victim has described her “shock” at learning his killer was moved to a mental health hospital after “two hours” in jail.’

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BBC News, 5th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Operation Fort: Three gang members convicted of human trafficking – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Three pivotal members of the largest human trafficking ring ever exposed in the UK have been convicted of people trafficking offences that involved vulnerable victims being intimidated and exploited, having their wages funnelled in to bank accounts controlled by members of the gang and being paid only paltry sums in return for their labours.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 25th June 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Crown court backlog hits record high of 60,000 cases as victims wait years for justice – The Independent

‘The backlog of crown court cases in England and Wales has hit a record number of almost 60,000 as waiting times rocket for victims and defendants.’

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The Independent, 24th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Child sex abuse victims ‘accused of lying by police’, inquiry finds – The Independent

‘Police officers often accuse young victims of child sexual abuse of lying when they try to report crimes, a report has found.’

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The Independent, 24th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Three in four domestic abuse cases end without charge in England and Wales – The Guardian

‘Three in four domestic abuse offences reported to the police are closed without a perpetrator being charged, a watchdog has said, amid fears the figures have worsened during the pandemic.’

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The Guardian, 23rd June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Domestic Abuse Act – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Domestic Abuse Act, which will be implemented later this year, brings in important changes, many of which have been received positively by the sector. These changes will lead to significant developments, enabling frontline professionals to raise awareness and secure protection for survivors of domestic abuse.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 21st June 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

One third of convicted sex offenders across England and Wales avoid prison – The Guardian

‘Ministers are facing demands to explain why thousands of convicted sexual offenders across England and Wales have avoided prison. An Observer investigation found that adults convicted of sexually assaulting children under 13, or of engaging in sexual activity with underage teenagers, are among those who have not been jailed.’

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The Guardian, 19th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New minimum standards for rape and sexual assault victim support – Crown Prosecution Service

‘We know that when victims have good emotional and practical support from our excellent ISVA partners, and close liaison with police and prosecutors, the criminal justice process becomes more manageable for them and justice outcomes improve. Currently there is a gap on setting out what best practice looks like – this framework aims to close that gap. New minimum standards for the support of rape and sexual violence victims have today (Friday 18 June) been published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 17th June 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Man convicted of murders of two women in Yorkshire, 21 years apart – The Guardian

Posted June 18th, 2021 in bereavement, families, murder, news, victims, women by tracey

‘Relatives have paid tribute to two women killed by the same man, after he was convicted of the two murders more than 20 years apart. Gary Allen murdered both Samantha Class and Alena Grlakova, a jury decided. Class was killed in Hull in 1997, and Grlakova in Rotherham in 2018.’

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The Guardian, 18th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland ‘sorry’ for failing rape victims – BBC News

‘Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has apologised to rape victims for low conviction rates in England and Wales and promised to “do a lot better”.’

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BBC News 18th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Victims of police domestic abuse ‘feel silenced’ – BBC News

Posted June 16th, 2021 in domestic violence, news, police, prosecutions, statistics, victims by sally

‘UK police forces have received more than 800 allegations of domestic abuse against officers and staff over the last five years, BBC research has revealed.’

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BBC News, 15th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Pupil victim of sexual assault by barrister “let down by system” – Legal Futures

‘A female victim of sexual assault by a male barrister has spoken about how she was let down by her chambers, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS)’

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Legal Futures, 14th June 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

More than one in seven girls are sexually abused before they turn 16 – Daily Telegraph

‘Majority of the abuse is never reported, finds report, which also shows one in 20 boys are reportedly sexually abused before 16th birthday.’

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Daily Telegraph, 8th June 2021

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Hillsborough disaster: Police forces agree compensation money after cover-up – The Independent

‘Two police forces have agreed to pay damages to more than 600 people after a cover-up following the Hillsborough disaster, lawyers have said. The South Yorkshire and West Midlands forces agreed the settlement following a civil claim for misfeasance in a public office on behalf of 601 claimants, solicitors representing the victims said.’

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The Independent, 5th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk