Demands of Yarl’s Wood Women on Hunger Strike ‘Our rights in here are being violated every day – we’ve had enough’
Yarl’s Wood: Women on Hunger Strike “Our rights in here are being violated every day” Over 100 women in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre began a hunger strike on Wednesday 21 February. The women from Avocet and Dove units along with a few men on the family wing are refusing food and are planning further …
Statement: Rape victims won vs Theresa May and police, Supreme Court
UPDATE: The Supreme Court upheld the women’s claim – a significant victory for all rape survivors! Today 21 February, the Supreme Court will give the verdict on a police appeal to overturn a high court decision which protects rape victims. This shameful appeal was backed by Prime Minister Theresa May. Biased and negligent police investigations …
In the media: Complaints over police handling of sex attacks and domestic violence soars
See quote from WAR below. Revelations prompt warnings that forces are failing the most vulnerable victims, with campaigners saying police response is ‘matter of life and death’ • Harriet Agerholm The Independent • @HarrietAgerholm • 17 February 2018 Domestic abuse accounts for eight per cent of all recorded crime The number of complaints received by …
Event: LUSH Human Rights Summit
LUSH Human Rights Summit February 2018 Performance: We are Here – because You are There Our interactive play has been on tour to Coventry, Sheffield & the DSEI Stop to Arms Fair. Performed by asylum seekers from the All African Women’s Group, it depicts the real life injustices faced by rape survivors and others throughout …
Statement: Govt forced to reassess mental health problems in 1.6m PIP benefit claims
A woman won a High Vourt victory in December which now forces reassessment of 1.6m PIP disability benefit claims. The Judge ruled the PIP assessment criteria are “blatantly discriminatory vs people with mental health impairments”. This includes debilitating PTSD from rape. Well done the brave woman who brought this challenge to the High Court while …
Petition: against Same Roof compenstion rule
Sign this important petition against the ‘Same Roof rule’ – which prevents victims getting compensation if they lived in the same house as their attacker before 1 October 1979
Press release: On the decision to release notorious serial sex offender John Warboys
MEDIA STATEMENT, by Women Against Rape 5 Jan 2017 There has been an outcry at the parole of Warboys after serving 10 years for 19 offences against 12 women. Yet the police say that other women had reported him, perhaps up to 100, but he is about to be released without being tried for these …
Model letter to MPs re compensation – please use
Please adjust accordingly and send this letter to your local MP (find your MP’s name and contact details here) [your address or email] Dear [insert full name of MP] As your constituent I urge you to take action to update the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme for victims of crime, in particular for victims of rape …
In the media: Christina McHugh, 27, raped when she was just 11, was denied compensation because of a conviction
Christina McHugh, 27, raped when she was just 11, was denied compensation because of a conviction HUNDREDS of rape victims are being denied compensation after committing ‘minor’ criminal offences, The Herald can reveal. It is estimated that at least 500 women have seen their claims rejected by the UK Government‘s Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) since …
In the media: Hundreds of sex assault victims refused compensation due to criminal convictions
Hundreds of sex assault victims refused compensation due to criminal convictions Hundreds of alleged sexual assault victims have been refused compensation because they have a criminal record, The Independent can reveal. The Government’s compensation body, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), has been routinely rejecting survivors’ claims when it emerges they have a conviction of any severity. Offences can range …
Letter to Justice Secretary: Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
From: WOMEN AGAINST RAPE David Lidington david.lidington.mp@parliament.uk Justice Secretary – Ministry of Justice 28 July 2017 Dear David Lidington Re Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and Authority (CICA) We echo demands in the letters to you from MP Sarah Champion, shadow minister for women and equalities, and from a coalition of charities[1] that the Criminal Injuries …
Report of Human Rights Vigil on family reunion, 22 Nov 2017
Brigitte Nongo-Wa-Kitwa Family Reunion Appeal Hearing Thanks to all who came to support Brigitte Nongo-Wa-Kitwa’s case to be reunited with her children. The vigil outside court garnered interest and support from passersby and people entering the court building. Over 15 women then went inside to listen to court proceedings, and although there weren’t enough seats …
Statement: Ms R wins right to stay – You Can’t Lose if You Don’t Quit!
Ms R (62), a longstanding member of All African Women’s Group, finally won her right to stay in the UK after a 13 year struggle. Ms R left Jamaica in 1990 to escape domestic violence from her partner . . .
Protest: Against CAFCASS and NSPCC participation in Families Need Fathers (FNF) conference, 14 Oct
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg9qABVVtOY FNF replied saying that they are a “reputable charity” but did not address domestic violence or any of the other issues raised. A FNF man confronted the picket saying that ‘more children are killed by their mothers than by their fathers’. To date we have received no reply to our …
