Sexual harassment victims ‘less likely to be believed if they are seen as less feminine’ – The Independent

Posted January 15th, 2021 in harassment, news, sex discrimination, sexual offences, victims, women by tracey

‘Women that suffer sexual harassment who are deemed to be less stereotypically feminine are less likely to have their allegations believed, a new study has found.’

Full Story

The Independent, 14th January 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Three victims of trafficking and modern slavery to sue Biffa – The Guardian

Posted January 14th, 2021 in forced labour, news, trafficking in human beings, victims, waste by tracey

‘Three victims of trafficking and modern slavery who were subcontracted to sort rubbish for the national waste and recycling firm Biffa Waste Services are to launch legal proceedings to sue the firm for damages.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 14th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Non-fatal strangulation set to become criminal offence in England and Wales – The Guardian

Posted January 11th, 2021 in bills, criminal justice, domestic violence, news, sentencing, victims by sally

‘The government is set to make non-fatal strangulation a specific criminal offence, with perpetrators facing up to seven years in prison after a sustained campaign from victims and activists.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 10th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic abuse victims wrongly charged over £150 from GPs for letters confirming injuries – The Independent

Posted January 8th, 2021 in doctors, domestic violence, expert witnesses, fees, legal aid, news, victims by tracey

‘Domestic abuse victims are being wrongly charged over £150 by GPs for letters proving their injuries which are often required to access legal aid or other crucial services.’

Full Story

The Independent, 7th January 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Fears honour-based abuse could go undetected due to ‘short-sighted’ government plans to scrap term – The Independent

‘Ministers are considering dropping references to honour-based abuse in the recording of crimes such as forced marriage, coercive control and female genital mutilation, raising concerns offences could go undetected.’

Full Story

The Independent, 6th January 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Deepfake porn images still give me nightmares’ – BBC News

‘A woman who has been the victim of deepfake pornography is calling for a change in the law.’

Full Story

BBC News, 6th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tough new domestic abuse tsar prepares to shape laws to protect threatened women – The Guardian

‘As violence soars in locked-down homes, Nicole Jacobs explains how, as commissioner, she can make a difference.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 3rd January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why The Sexual Exploitation Bill Will Make Vulnerable Women Less Safe – Each Other

‘Paying for sex could become a criminal offence in England and Wales if Parliament approves a new Bill which claims to protect women from sexual exploitation. But criminalisation will only further harm people who are already marginalised, argues Rachel Trafford.’

Full Story

Each Other, 17th December 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Pupils’ historical abuse at London schools claims total £1m – BBC News

Posted December 18th, 2020 in child abuse, children, compensation, news, school children, victims, violence by sally

‘Nearly £1m in compensation has been paid to dozens of former students at two London private schools following historical allegations of abuse.’

Full Story

BBC News, 17th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Families of Hyde Park bombing victims to appeal ruling against damages – The Independent

Posted December 17th, 2020 in bereavement, damages, explosives, news, terrorism, victims by tracey

‘The families of the victims of the Provisional IRA’s 1982 Hyde Park bombing are to challenge a high court decision not to award punitive damages for the atrocity.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Migrant domestic abuse victims’ data must not be shared between police and Home Office, report warns – The Independent

‘Police and government must urgently introduce measures to stop police sharing domestic abuse victims’ immigration data with the Home Office, a major new report has warned.
Campaigners have routinely voiced fears women with unsettled immigration status who are suffering domestic violence are often too fearful to report the abuse due to fears police will share their data with the Home Office and they will face deportation.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Police accused of not taking honour-based abuse seriously as figures reveal 64% fall in recorded offences – The Independent

‘Police have been accused of not taking honour-based abuse seriously as new figures reveal a 64 per cent fall in the number of offences recorded.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Role of grooming of women involved in violent crime examined as part of new gangs guidance – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Prosecutors working on gang-related cases which involve women and girls should consider if there is evidence they have been forced or groomed into committing crime, according to new legal guidance published today. The guidance, Decision-making in “gang” related offences, has been drawn up by the Crown Prosecution Service to give lawyers practical advice on building the strongest possible cases and gathering robust evidence to present to the court.’

Full Story

Crown Prosecution Service, 16th December 2020

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Rape and sexual assault: ‘Money needed’ to speed up investigations – BBC News

‘Police and prosecutors need more resources as sexual assault and rape investigations are taking longer, a charity that supports victims has said.’

Full Story

BBC News, 14th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

All Windrush victims to get at least £10,000 – BBC News

‘The government is to give more money to victims of the Windrush scandal, which saw hundreds of people wrongly threatened with deportation.’

Full Story

BBC News, 14th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police drop rape investigation into Tory ex-minister – The Independent

Posted December 14th, 2020 in appeals, evidence, news, parliament, police, political parties, rape, sexual offences, victims by tracey

‘Police have dropped their investigation into a Conservative MP and ex-minister who was arrested after a woman accused him of rape.’

Full Story

The Independent, 13th December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Charity which helped Grenfell victims ‘institutionally racist’, review finds – The Independent

Posted December 11th, 2020 in accidents, charities, diversity, equality, fire, news, race discrimination, racism, victims by tracey

‘A charity which helped the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire has been and remains to be institutionally racist, a review has found.The Westway Trust has a “legacy of institutional racism” and has failed to “understand, identify and address radical disparity over the years”, the Tutu Foundation concluded.’

Full Story

The Independent, 11th December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Fifth femicide census shows “a serious failing and indicates a lack of will to tackle root causes” of killings of women by men in the UK – Family Law

Posted December 10th, 2020 in homicide, news, reports, statistics, victims, women by tracey

‘The Femicide Census has produced its fifth, and most comprehensive, report to date of women killed by men in the UK.’

Full Story

Family Law, 9th December 2020

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Police bail reforms left crime victims feeling unsafe, finds report – The Guardian

Posted December 8th, 2020 in bail, crime, criminal justice, news, police, reports, victims by sally

‘Victims have been left unprotected and a suspected paedophile left free to strike after government changes to bail plunged parts of the criminal justice system into chaos, an official report has found.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 8th December 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS says: How we’re working to overcome harmful rape myths and stereotypes – Crown Prosecution Service

‘As an experienced prosecutor of rape and serious sexual offences, I never underestimate the courage it takes for a victim to report such a deeply violating and distressing event to police. CPS staff, especially those on our RASSO teams are all too aware of the unique barriers many face when deciding whether to report offences relating to sexual assault; these include shame, guilt, fear of the process, fear of not being believed, shock, cultural context, embarrassment, language barriers and fear of reprisal from the community.’

Full Story

Crown Prosecution Service, 29th November 2020

Source: www.cps.gov.uk