Black Women's Rape Action Project

Letters, the Guardian Saturday 12 May 2012

Martin Narey has called for an inquiry into the "over-representation by Asian men in child exploitation" (Grooming offences committed mostly by Asian men, says ex-Barnardo's chief, 9 May). What does he know about child exploitation? As former director general of the prison service and assistant governor of Deerbolt prison, Narey failed to apologise for the widespread rape and beating of children when it was brought into the open on his watch (How did Neville Husband get away with the horrific abuse of teenagers in his care?, Weekend, 14 April). Narey's racist spotlight on Asian men conveniently obscures the action and inaction of police, CPS and social workers who allowed the rape of more than 40 children over years. Why didn't they stop it?

 For info and to book tickets contact Slutwalklondon@gmail.com or visit them on Facebook

Breastfed baby taken from mother for six days, a move she says trust denied her right to challenge

Karen McVeigh
guardian.co.uk, Friday 17 June 2011 18.42 BST

A breastfeeding mother whose newborn baby was forcibly taken from her and put into care for six days is seeking a judicial review over alleged unlawful treatment during a crucial bonding period with her daughter.

Verna Joseph, who has a history of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, says she was pushed to the ground, restrained by security guards, and her baby taken in full public view during a scuffle at King George hospital in Redbridge to which police were called.

She was then transferred by ambulance to Goodmayes hospital, North-East London NHS foundation trust, in Ilford, but was not told until several hours later that she was being compulsorily admitted for an assessment under the Mental Health Act.

You all look great, you look amazing from up here - we’re so glad to be here together in our thousands, from all our different backgrounds. We belong together!

Slutwalks are everywhere it’s like a wave across the globe: Brazil, Argentina and one planned in India. They are an occasion where women of colour can be visible as survivors, and speak up about our often invisible organising against rape. In the UK and across the globe, women of colour face racist and sexist violence.

We invite you to join London SlutWalk with us, this Saturday 11 June. In stark contrast to the way events are often structured, the London organisers approached our group seeking the active involvement of women of colour. We will be marching and speaking at the rally.

SlutWalks have taken place in a number of countries, and more are proposed including in India. Yet some Black feminists have condemned them as irrelevant to women of colour, and dismissed the organisers as ‘white middle-class women’. We reject this view.

SlutWalk is a much needed occasion to break down divisions and strengthen everyone’s right to protection and justice, no matter who we are, where we were raped or who raped us.

We want to make visible the 70% of women from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and elsewhere who are seeking asylum in the UK after suffering rape and other torture.

WAR will be taking part in the Slutwalk on Saturday in Trafalgar Square, London, and speaking at the rally.

In January, police officer Michael Sanguinetti told students at a Toronto Law School that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised." Thousands of women protested in the first Slutwalk in Toronto. Their manifesto said: "We are tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by our sexuality and feeling unsafe as a result. Being in charge of our sexual lives should not mean that we are opening ourselves to an expectation of violence, regardless if we participate in sex for pleasure or work. No one should equate enjoying sex with attracting sexual assault."

Mothers win right to family life in the UK

Two mothers, both of whom have lived in the UK for over 10 years and whose children were born here, have resisted efforts to return them to Jamaica and have now won the right to stay in the UK under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act (Article 8, the right to respect for private and family life.)  One woman took part in the 40 day hunger strike at Yarl’s Wood Removal Centre to bring attention to the injustice of her case.