Data shows 900 women in UK affected by benefit cap ‘rape clause’ – The Guardian

‘Official figures show 900 women were forced to disclose that their child was conceived as a result of rape to claim social security help under the government’s two-child cap on benefits.’

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The Guardian, 17th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Sex attack ‘predator’ broke into Radcliffe homes at night’ – BBC News

Posted July 16th, 2020 in news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences, trespass by tracey

‘A “sexual predator” who targeted women and girls in their own homes at night has been jailed for 15 years.’

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BBC News, 15th July 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Asylum seeker at centre of landmark case over UK’s ‘unfair’ fast-track system – The Guardian

Posted July 16th, 2020 in asylum, deportation, news, rape by tracey

‘An asylum seeker who was deported under a “procedurally unfair” fast-track system is at the centre of a new battle with the Home Office to stay in the UK, in a case which could have repercussions for thousands of people whose applications to stay in Britain were rejected.’

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The Guardian, 15th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police and CPS scrap digital data extraction forms for rape cases – The Guardian

Posted July 16th, 2020 in consent, Crown Prosecution Service, disclosure, news, police, privacy, rape by tracey

‘The CPS and police have been forced to scrap controversial “digital strip searches” of rape complainants, following a legal threat from two survivors of sexual abuse and sustained campaigning from privacy and human rights groups.’

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The Guardian, 16th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

We are facing the ‘decriminalisation of rape’, warns victims’ commissioner – The Guardian

Posted July 14th, 2020 in criminal justice, news, prosecutions, rape, victims by tracey

‘Rape has effectively been decriminalised as a result of a collapse in prosecutions that has allowed many offenders to escape justice, according to the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales.’

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The Guardian, 14th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Major failures led to accidental release of serial rapist, report finds – The Guardian

‘Significant failings by prison and probation staff, and a policy of not recalling high risk prisoners to alleviate pressure on a growing prison population, saw serial rapist Joseph McCann mistakenly freed from jail to attack 11 women and children, a review has found.’

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The Guardian, 30th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Pontypool rape confession after parents see text message – BBC News

Posted June 30th, 2020 in guilty pleas, news, rape, sentencing, telecommunications, young offenders by sally

‘A man has been sentenced for raping a woman after his parents saw an incriminating text message on his phone and made him confess to the police.’

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BBC News, 29th June 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

CPS secretly dropped ‘weak’ rape cases, say rights groups – The Guardian

Posted June 30th, 2020 in Crown Prosecution Service, evidence, news, prosecutions, rape by sally

‘Rape cases where a woman was held at knife point, a film of an attack was found on a suspect’s phone and an alleged perpetrator admitted the offence in text messages are among those dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, documents shared with the Guardian reveal.’

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The Guardian, 30th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Barrow rape claims trial faces long delay due to coronavirus backlog – The Guardian

‘A 19-year-old woman from Barrow accused of making up allegations of sexual exploitation against five men may not stand trial until August 2021 because of legal delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.’

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The Guardian, 19th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police in England and Wales dropping rape inquiries when victims refuse to hand in phones – The Guardian

‘Rape investigations are being systematically dropped after victims refuse to hand over their mobile phones for analysis, an investigation has found.’

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The Guardian, 17th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Compensation for woman after rape trials collapse over police failings – BBC News

Posted June 11th, 2020 in child abuse, compensation, news, police, prosecutions, rape, victims by sally

‘A woman who police believe was sexually abused by a gang from the age of 12 has been paid a five-figure compensation sum after three trials collapsed following police failings.’

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BBC News, 11th June 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Wendell Baker: Attempt to block release of rapist denied – BBC News

Posted June 9th, 2020 in DNA, double jeopardy, news, parole, rape, release on licence by sally

‘An attempt to block the release of a man convicted of beating and raping a pensioner has been rejected by the Parole Board.’

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BBC News, 8th June 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Justice Secretary seeks to block decision to release rapist serving life sentence – Daily Telegraph

‘The Justice Secretary is seeking to block the decision to release a rapist serving a life sentence from prison, after the victim’s family only learned of the plans through a journalist.’

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Daily Telegraph, 5th June 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Cricketer who joked about ‘dragging the birds back’ appeals five-year rape sentence – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 5th, 2020 in appeals, news, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘A former professional cricketer who joked about “dragging the birds back” as part of a WhatsApp sexual conquest game has appealed a five year sentence by claiming the comments did not prove he would ignore consent.’

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Daily Telegraph, 4th June 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The Service Justice System under question regarding the continuation of the jurisdiction to investigate and conduct trials in serious sexual assault and rape cases – Thomas More Chambers

‘The Centre for Military Justice, acting on behalf of three female service personnel has sent a pre – action protocol letter to the Ministry of Defence with regard to three cases which the service justice system (SJS) has conducted and their assertion appears to be that these victims were discriminated against. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) response is due this week. We have not seen the letter nor do we expect to see the response. The Centre for Military Justice stating publicly that by the end of the month they will issue proceedings in the High Court for Judicial Review (JR) citing action for discrimination under both the Human Rights Act and Equality Act. We await sight of the claim and then the defence.’

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Thomas More Chambers, 14th May 2020

Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk

EP 114: CPS Rape Prosecution Policy – Jennifer MacLeod – Law Pod UK

Posted June 2nd, 2020 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, podcasts, prosecutions, rape by sally

‘In Episode 114, Emma-Louise Fenelon speaks to Jennifer MacLeod from Brick Court Chambers about two recent Divisional Court decisions concerning CPS rape prosecution policy.’

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Law Pod UK, 1st June 2020

Source: audioboom.com

Wendell Baker: ‘Double jeopardy’ pensioner rapist cleared for release – BBC News

Posted May 21st, 2020 in DNA, double jeopardy, news, parole, rape, release on licence by sally

‘A man convicted of beating and raping a pensioner has been cleared for release from prison by the Parole Board.’

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BBC News, 19th May 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The Service Justice System under question regarding the continuation of the jurisdiction to investigate and conduct trials in serious sexual assault and rape cases – Thomas More Chambers

‘The Centre for Military Justice, acting on behalf of three female service personnel has sent a pre – action protocol letter to the Ministry of Defence with regard to three cases which the service justice system (SJS) has conducted and their assertion appears to be that these victims were discriminated against. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) response is due this week. We have not seen the letter nor do we expect to see the response. The Centre for Military Justice stating publicly that by the end of the month they will issue proceedings in the High Court for Judicial Review (JR) citing action for discrimination under both the Human Rights Act and Equality Act. We await sight of the claim and then the defence.’

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Thomas More Chambers, 14th May 2020

Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk

Women launch legal action to stop military courts trying UK rape cases – The Guardian

‘Three women serving in the armed forces have begun legal action aimed at preventing the military courts from trying UK rape cases, complaining that the conviction rate is five to six times lower than in civilian courts.’

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The Guardian, 3rd April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic abuse prosecutions fell by 24% at end of 2019 – The Guardian

‘The number of domestic abuse prosecutions fell by almost a quarter in the last three months of 2019, compared to the previous year, according to quarterly figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service. Rape prosecutions also fell 23% in the last three months of 2019 compared to a year prior, maintaining a historic low.’

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The Guardian, 30th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com