WAR is independent of the police, the CPS and Home Office. Its services are based on self help, and it provides support and legal rights information to those trying to get justice, protection, asylum and compensation. Its campaigns are shaped by casework. It has helped set precedents in law such as the first private prosecution for rape in England and Wales. This work has helped to change the attitudes of individuals and institutions. When acting in individual cases, WAR takes account of the implications for other cases. It aims to make each individual advance useful to others who are seeking justice.
If you need help please see our Guides here and get in touch here.
Below are examples of some of our cases and legal victories.
In the media: ‘Kicked while I’m already down’, the child sexual assault victim denied compensation over a petty crime
Kim Mitchell went to police threee times before they believed her Ms K was raped repeatedly by two adult men when she was 13. As an adult she finally found the courage to report it, identifying the men. The investigation is ongoing. One of the men is in prison for sexual offences against other children. …
In the media: High court rules in favour of rape victim who retracted accusation under duress
Woman known as Sarah has compensation increased after she made allegation against husband before changing her mind, under pressure from him. Lisa Longstaff from Women Against Rape (War), which made written submissions to the judge, said: “Sarah finally got some justice! CICA rules are applied in a sexist and uncompassionate way, and War is one …
Asylum from Rape Bulletin Winter 2010
Landmark compensation for torture victim and her family. A mother and her five children have won a precedent-setting, six figure compensation award from the Home Office for abuse and injuries sustained during deportation to Uganda in 2006. Ms A was supported throughout by WAR who found legal representation through Leigh Day & Co. solicitors. During …
Asylum from Rape Bulletin Spring 2009
Winning compensation for unlawful detention of rape survivor. Listen to Ms PB being interview on Radio 4’s “PM” program in December 2008 here. Read about her fight against the racist attacks here which she and other women suffered in a Liverpool Hostel. You may have heard about the case of Ms PB who was recently …
Ms L wins £11,000 at Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority appeal A rape survivor who was unable to give a full statement to the police applied for compensation three years later, fought an initial refusal – and won! Facts Ms L was attacked in May 2001, by a stranger. She has no memory from the middle …
In the media: Evidence of sexual history
New Law Journal: why there should be a ban of the use of evidence on a women’s sexual history Parliament should stop endorsing judges’ sexism which exposes victims to questions about sex with men other than the defendant – and understand that this kind of action is, in fact, a second rape.
Legal precedent for rape victims seeking asylum
Legal precedent for rape victims seeking asylum We were centrally involved in winning this important legal precedent for rape survivors seeking asylum in the Royal Courts of Justice, London back in 1997. Mr Justice Sullivan ruled that the previous Home Secretary had been wrong not to consider new evidence provided by a young woman …
Statement: Legal precedent for rape victimes seeking asylum
We call for an official recognition of rape victims’ suffering. Ms G fled Uganda in 1989 following multiple attacks of rape and violence she suffered from soldiers. Here is the statement issued by Black Women’s Rape Action Project which marks an important legal precedent for rape survivors seeking asylum …
In the media: The Guilty Victim, Rape and the CPS
Two prostitute women set legal precedent by bringing and winning prosecution for rape. As reported in the Socialist Lawyer in 1995, after the CPS originally dropped the case, Christopher Davies was finally found guilty of raping and assaulting the two women.
In the media: Who counts and who pays?
Government attempts to cut compensation to victims of violence. As reported in the New Law Journal, the new system of fixed tariffs for specific injuries cuts victims’ money by £250million a year.
In the media: Private case brings rapist to justice
Prostitutes succeed with prosecution after CPS refuses to pursue attacker for lack of evidence. As reported in the Guardian, two sex workers made legal history with the first private prosecution for rape in an English court. Read the full article here below.
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