DNA technology finally vindicates rape victim 20 years later – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 29th, 2012 in child abuse, DNA, evidence, news, rape, sentencing, victims by tracey

“A rape victim who was spat at, beaten up and bullied over supposedly false allegations has finally seen her attacker face justice 20 years on thanks to advances in DNA technology.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 29th February 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

UK detention of torture victims ‘inhumane’ – The Guardian

Posted February 23rd, 2012 in asylum, detention, news, torture, trafficking in human beings, victims by sally

“The detention of victims of torture and trafficking by the UK Border Agency pending their ‘fast-track’ deportation from Britain has been strongly criticised by the UN.”

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The Guardian, 23rd February 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Crimes committed by victims of human trafficking – should they be prosecuted? – UK Human Rights Blog

“This was the first occasion when the Court of Appeal has considered the problem of child trafficking for labour exploitation. It has not previously been subject to any close analysis following the coming into force in 2005 of the European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 22nd February 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Regina v N(A); Regina v Le – WLR Daily

Regina v N(A); Regina v Le [2012] EWCA Crim 189; [2012] WLR (D) 38

“The implementation of the United Kingdom’s obligation to comply with article 26 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings 2005 would normally be achieved by the proper exercise of the long established prosecutorial discretion which enabled the Crown Prosecution Service, however strong the evidence might be, to decide that it would be inappropriate to proceed with the prosecution of a defendant suspected of being involved in unlawful activities if he/she might have been the victim of trafficking for labour exploitation and might be unable to advance duress as a defence but who fell within the protective ambit of article 26.”

WLR Daily, 20th February 2012

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

How my rapist walked free – The Guardian

Posted February 7th, 2012 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, police, rape, victims by sally

“The head of the Crown Prosecution Service said last week that prejudice about female behaviour hinders justice. Here, a rape victim agrees.”

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The Guardian, 6th February 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cuts force domestic violence refuges to turn victims away – The Guardian

Posted January 31st, 2012 in domestic violence, news, victims by sally

“Victims of domestic violence at risk of further abuse are being advised to sleep in Occupy camps, in police stations and accident and emergency departments because of sweeping cuts across the sector, according to domestic violence charities.”

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The Guardian, 31st January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ken Clarke: £50m for victims’ services – Ministry of Justice

Posted January 31st, 2012 in consultations, crime, criminal injuries compensation, fines, news, victims by sally

“An overhaul of victims’ services could see up to £50m generated from offenders to help create a speedier, more supportive system for victims of serious crime.”

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Ministry of Justice, 30th January 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Motorists to be hit with £100 speeding fines to support victims – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 30th, 2012 in fines, news, road traffic offences, victims by sally

“Motorists face a huge hike in speeding fines to as much as £100 to help fill a funding gap for victims of crime, Kenneth Clarke has disclosed.”

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Daily Telegraph, 30th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Dangerous, vindictive and unnecessary – The Guardian

“Ken Clarke can already refuse victims compensation for violent crimes if they are of bad character. Now he wants to ban anyone with an unspent conviction from applying.”

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The Guardian, 30th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Compensation scheme to be overhauled – The Independent

Posted January 30th, 2012 in compensation, criminal injuries compensation, criminal records, news, victims by sally

“Victims who suffer sprained ankles, broken toes or bruised ribs would no longer be entitled to compensation under Government plans, Kenneth Clarke said today.”

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The Independent, 30th January 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Enduring myths about rape victims lead to acquittals, says chief prosecutor – The Guardian

Posted January 30th, 2012 in news, rape, victims by sally

“The demonisation of young women is contributing to the failure to secure more convictions of suspected rapists, one of the country’s leading prosecutors warns on Monday.”

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The Guardian, 30th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Youth restraint challenge rejected by High Court – UK Human Rights

Posted January 17th, 2012 in news, restraint, secure training centres, victims, young offenders by sally

“Although certain restraining measures had been taken unlawfully against young people in secure training centres for a number of years, the court had no jurisdiction to grant an order that the victims of this activity be identified and advised of their rights.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 16th January 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

EU directive for crime victims undermines Armed Forces, warns MoD – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 3rd, 2012 in armed forces, EC law, news, victims by tracey

“The work of the Armed Forces could be undermined by a European Directive that the Coalition has chosen to adopt, the Ministry of Defence has warned.”

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Daily Telegraph, 3rd January 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Murder victim’s family cannot be told killer’s immigration status – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 21st, 2011 in data protection, families, immigration, murder, news, privacy, victims by tracey

“The family of a former public schoolboy gunned down in a pub have been refused in their request to find out if his killer was in the country legally – to protect his privacy.”

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Daily Telegraph, 21st December 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Rapists abuse courts to harass victims – The Guardian

Posted December 5th, 2011 in harassment, news, victims by sally

“Convicted murderers, rapists and stalkers are pursuing their victims through the family and civil courts via legal actions that are often funded by the public purse, say experts who are demanding an urgent change in the law.”

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The Guardian, 3rd December 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Victims giving evidence: witnesses must be cross-examined – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted November 23rd, 2011 in cross-examination, evidence, news, trials, victims, witnesses by sally

“This week the Times exposed a leaked report into child sexual exploitation suggesting that the way that vulnerable victims give evidence in court should be changed in an attempt to ensure more abusers and rapists are convicted. The idea is that victims in this country should be spared the ordeal of answering questions during proceedings.”

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Halbury’s Law Exchange, 22nd November 2011

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Judges should reform court procedures ‘to help teenage victims of abuse’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 22nd, 2011 in child abuse, children, courts, evidence, news, reports, victims by sally

“Judges should reform court procedures to make it less harrowing for teenage victims of abuse to give evidence, a report will recommend tomorrow.”

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Daily Telegraph, 21st November 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Stalking victims claim crime not taken seriously enough – The Guardian

Posted November 14th, 2011 in harassment, news, victims by sally

“Most victims of stalking who turn to the criminal justice system for protection say it is failing them, a survey reveals.”

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The Guardian, 13th November 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

A Manifesto for Family Justice – Alliance of Interest Groups Calls on Government to Change Plans – The Bar Council

Posted October 28th, 2011 in families, family courts, legal aid, press releases, victims by tracey

“An alliance of organisations which represents the rights and needs of women, children, families and victims of domestic abuse and/or are engaged in the administration of family justice, has published a Manifesto for Family Justice, ahead of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Bill moving into Report Stage in the House of Commons.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 24th October 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Legal aid cuts will put domestic abuse victims at risk, law groups warn – The Guardian

Posted October 24th, 2011 in child abuse, cross-examination, domestic violence, legal aid, news, victims by sally

“An increasing number of victims of domestic abuse, including children, will be cross-examined in court by their alleged assailants if the government goes ahead with plans to cut legal aid, a coalition of family and children’s charities has warned.”

Full story

The Guardian, 24th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk