Pre-recorded evidence improves rape victims’ experience of court – Ministry of Justice

‘Rape victims who pre-record their evidence are more likely to have a better experience of the court process, findings published today (3 April 2023) reveal.’

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Ministry of Justice, 3rd April 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Misogyny rife in RAF boys’ club, sex assault victim says – BBC News

‘The RAF is a “boys’ club” where sexual harassment, misogyny and homophobia are rife, says a female ex-corporal who was sexually assaulted while serving.’

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BBC News, 14th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Chef wrongly branded sex offender wins long fight to stay in UK – The Guardian

‘A chef from Bangladesh who was wrongly recorded as a sex offender by the Home Office has won the right to remain in the UK after fighting since 2010.’

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The Guardian, 12th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Stephen Bear 21-Month Custodial Sentence Sends a Message – Intimate Image Abuse Will Not Be Taken Lightly – Mountford Chambers

‘Following the highly publicised trial and subsequent imprisonment of Stephen Bear, Fiona Clegg looks at the current position regarding disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress and the proposals for reform.’

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Mountford Chambers, 16th March 2023

Source: www.mountfordchambers.com

TRX v Southampton Football Club [2022] EWHC 3992 (KB): Retainers, lawful CFAs and Rule 47.20 – Costs Litigation Blog

Posted April 12th, 2023 in appeals, chambers articles, costs, news, sexual offences, solicitors, sport by sally

‘This blog by Dan Tobin examines the Court of Appeal decision in TRX v Southampton Football Club [2022] EWHC 3392 (KB).’

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Costs Litigation Blog, 10th March 2023

Source: costsandlitigationfunding.com

The Met To Reopen Closed Police Misconduct Cases – Each Other

‘The Metropolitan Police has today reported on the progress of Operation Onyx – a review of the police officers and staff against whom the Met has heard concerning reports of domestic or sexual incidents. The cases of London police officers or staff investigated but not dismissed for sexual offences or domestic abuse over the last 10 years are now being reviewed.’

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Each Other, 6th April 2023

Source: eachother.org.uk

Liverpool school abuse: Survivors take legal action against council – BBC News

‘A group of former pupils who were subjected to sexual and physical abuse at a school have begun legal action against the council which ran it.’

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BBC News, 5th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Grooming gangs and ethnicity: What does the evidence say? – BBC News

‘The prime minister says victims of grooming gangs have been ignored because of political correctness.’

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BBC News, 4th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Met Police: Former officer found guilty of rape – BBC News

‘A former Metropolitan Police officer has been found guilty of raping a woman while he was off duty.’

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BBC News, 4th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Raab urged to fast-track plans to force criminals to attend sentencing – The Guardian

Posted April 4th, 2023 in murder, news, sentencing, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘Dominic Raab has been urged to fast-track plans to force criminals to attend their sentencing after the murderer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel refused to leave his cell to be sentenced on Monday.’

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The Guardian, 4th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Timothy Schofield found guilty of sexually abusing boy – BBC News

Posted April 4th, 2023 in child abuse, news, sexual offences by sally

‘The brother of television presenter Phillip Schofield has been found guilty of sexually abusing a boy.’

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BBC News, 3rd April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

South Yorkshire PC jailed for taking photo of teenager’s breasts – BBC News

Posted April 4th, 2023 in assault, news, police, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

‘A South Yorkshire Police officer who pulled down a teenager’s top and photographed her breasts has been jailed for eight months.’

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BBC News, 1st April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sexual Risk Orders: Lowering the Standard – Doughty Street Chambers

‘Sexual Risk Orders (‘SRO’) under section 122A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (‘the 2003 Act’) were introduced in 2015 by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Unlike the similar Sexual Harm Prevention Orders introduced at the same time, SROs may be obtained without a criminal conviction for a sexual offence. Being civil orders obtained in the Magistrates’ Court the applicant authority (a police force or the National Crime Agency) is able to rely on the admissibility of hearsay evidence under the Civil Evidence Act 1995 (‘the 1995 Act’) and the Magistrates’ Courts (Hearsay Evidence in Civil Proceedings) Rules 1999. However, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 significantly altered the process by amending section 122A(6) to state that the court need only be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that a defendant has done at least one act of a sexual nature as alleged. Previously, the standard of proof had been held to be the criminal standard, though the statute was silent as to the standard required. This amendment took effect on 29 November 2022 and there has already been a noticeable upsurge in the number of applications for these Draconian orders.’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 12th March 2023

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

Admissibility of foreign convictions in proceedings under the Children Act 1989 – Family Law Week

‘Samuel Arksey, a pupil barrister at Senate House Chambers considers the admissibility of foreign convictions in proceedings under the Children Act 1989.’

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Family Law Week, 15th March 2023

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Delays to rape trials in England and Wales ‘devastating’ for victims – The Guardian

‘Long delays and a massive increase in the rescheduling of rape trials are having a devastating impact on victims’ mental health and leading some victims to take their own lives, according to a major new report.’

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The Guardian, 27th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ikea UK makes agreement with EHRC to improve policies on sexual harassment – The Guardian

‘Ikea UK has made an agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to improve its sexual harassment policies and practices after a complaint by a former employee.’

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The Guardian, 23rd March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Middlesbrough ex-deputy head banned over indecent images – BBC News

‘A former deputy head teacher given a suspended prison sentence for possessing indecent images of children has been banned from teaching.’

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BBC News, 22nd March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Met Police: Women and children failed by ‘boys’ club’, review finds – BBC News

‘Women and children have been failed by the Metropolitan Police, with racism, misogyny, and homophobia at the heart of the force, a blistering review says. Baroness Casey says a “boys’ club” culture is rife and the force could be dismantled if it does not improve.’

Full Casey report

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BBC News, 21st March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Met officers investigated for sexual misconduct working as normal – BBC News

‘More than 100 Metropolitan Police officers being investigated for sexual misconduct are currently working without restrictions, figures reveal.
The Liberal Democrats have found that as of 3 February, more than a quarter of 548 officers being investigated for domestic abuse and sexual misconduct were working as normal.’

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BBC News, 20th March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Grantham paedophile jailed after ‘campaign of rape’ – BBC News

Posted March 17th, 2023 in child abuse, children, imprisonment, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘A paedophile who carried out a “campaign of rape” has been jailed for 25 years for abusing children as young as seven over a 23-year period.’

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BBC News, 16th March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk