‘My friends called him PC Perv’: the police officers who prey on crime victims for sex – The Guardian

‘Nicola Brookes was groomed by a senior officer she trusted and she is not alone – 2,000 police officers have been accused of sexual misconduct in four years. In the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder, what can be done?’

Full Story

The Guardian, 20th October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police officer who engaged in relationship with domestic abuse victim jailed – The Independent

‘A police officer who engaged in “flirtatious and sexualised” relationship with a vulnerable woman he met during his duties has been jailed.’

Full Story

The Independent, 19th October 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Thousands of potential trafficking victims held in immigration centres, data shows – The Guardian

‘More than 4,500 people have been held in immigration detention in England and Wales before being released into the community and only then identified as potential victims of trafficking, official figures for the past five years show.
Charities claim the figures demonstrate a “detain first, ask later” attitude that runs counter to the fight against modern slavery and suggest others are probably being deported without having been referred for support. They fear the situation will be exacerbated by the nationality and borders bill, which they say makes it harder to identify victims.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Trafficking victims should be granted leave to remain in UK, high court rules – The Guardian

‘Thousands of victims of trafficking who have been left to languish in the immigration system for years should be granted leave to remain, the high court has said in a landmark ruling.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 12th October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic violence victim says UK justice system is ‘like the abuse’ – BBC News

‘A traumatised domestic abuse victim has said her experience of the justice system was so bad it was “like the abuse has continued”.’

Full Story

BBC News, 10th October 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Should sex offenders’ voices ever be heard? – BBC News

‘A police force has released audio clips from child sex offenders in the hope they will help prevent others from escalating into criminal behaviours. The move has provoked a split reaction, with a charity arguing that if it helps even one person, it is beneficial. However, a survivor of child sex abuse said they were upset that abusers had been given a platform by Avon and Somerset Police.’

Full Story

BBC News, 10th October 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

A third of police forces referred sex assault claims to watchdog – The Guardian

‘Almost a third of police forces in England and Wales referred allegations of sexual assault and harassment against their own officers to the police watchdog in the days following the sentencing of Wayne Couzens for the murder of Sarah Everard, the Observer can reveal.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 10th October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Man jailed for posing as a police officer and trying to ‘arrest’ woman – The Independent

‘A man has been jailed after impersonating a police officer and attempting to “arrest” a woman.’

Full Story

The Independent, 8th October 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Insight: Sarah Everard’s murder: Home Secretary commissions public inquiry – House of Commons Library

‘Priti Patel has launched a non-statutory inquiry following the sentencing of Sarah Everard’s killer. The chair and terms of reference have yet to be announced.’

Full Story

House of Commons Library, 6th October 2021

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Domestic violence: Scheme stops abusers writing to victims from jail – BBC News

Posted October 7th, 2021 in coercive & controlling behaviour, domestic violence, news, prisons, victims by sally

‘A scheme to stop jailed domestic abusers terrorising their victims from prison should be rolled out nationwide, a senior figure has said.’

Full Story

BBC News, 7th October 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Regulations and guidance issued on support councils must give domestic abuse victims – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Government has published new regulations and guidance setting out the level of support councils are required to provide to domestic abuse victims who need to escape home.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 5th October 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Sarah Everard murder: Met to launch review of standards and internal culture – The Guardian

‘The Metropolitan police is launching a review of professional standards and internal culture within the force, led by a high-profile anti-sleaze adviser, following the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 4th October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charlie Webster: Coaches’ suspected child abuse must be reported – Daily Telegraph

‘The Government is under mounting pressure to introduce mandatory reporting of suspected child sexual abuse after the broadcaster Charlie Webster was contacted by thousands of people within a week of her documentary into athletics.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 3rd October 2021

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

More rape trials to allow pre-recorded evidence – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Victims of alleged sexual violence in London and the north east will be spared live cross-examination from today, as part of a pilot scheme to make trials less traumatic for complainants.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 30th September 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Millions of children in religious groups in England and Wales vulnerable to abuse – The Guardian

‘Children involved in religious organisations, including Sunday schools and madrasas, are vulnerable to sexual abuse in cultures where victim blaming, abuse of power and mistrust of external authorities are common, a report says. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) said there was “no doubt that the sexual abuse of children takes place in a broad range of religious settings”. It found evidence of “egregious failings” and highlighted the hypocrisy of religions that purport to teach right from wrong, yet fail to protect children.’

Full report

Full Story

The Guardian, 2nd September 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unacknowledged rape: the sexual assault survivors who hide their trauma – even from themselves – The Guardian

Posted August 26th, 2021 in assault, consent, news, rape, victims, women by sally

‘Surveys suggest a large proportion of women have experienced sexual assaults that they labelled as a misunderstanding. This has serious psychological repercussions and increases the chance of being victimised again.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 26th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police failing to impose orders on men accused of abuse, watchdog finds – The Guardian

‘Police are failing to impose restraining orders or bail conditions on men accused of rape, domestic abuse, harassment and stalking, a watchdog has found, placing women and girls at increased risk of harm.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ex-police officer who sexually exploited domestic abuse victims sentenced – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A former police officer who used his position to groom and sexually exploit vulnerable women has been sentenced.’

Full Story

Crown Prosecution Service, 20th August 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Article by Jonathan Lewis – Victim status under the Human Rights Act 1998 – Henderson Chambers

Posted August 10th, 2021 in disclosure, human rights, inquiries, judicial review, news, rendition, victims by sally

‘Reprieve, a legal action non-governmental organisation, and two MPs judicially reviewed the Prime Minister’s decision not to hold a public inquiry into the alleged complicity of British state agents in the unlawful rendition, detention, and mistreatment of individuals by other states in the years following the attack on New York in September 2001. The Court of Appeal held that the claimants were not victims within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998) and that Article 6(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) therefore did not apply to the claim. It further decided that the claimants were not entitled to disclosure in accordance with the standard set in SSHD v AF (No 3). Written by Jonathan Lewis, barrister at Henderson Chambers.’

Full Story

Henderson Chambers, 3rd August 2021

Source: www.hendersonchambers.co.uk

Consult on damages for crime victims with convictions, court tells government – BBC News

Posted August 10th, 2021 in compensation, consultations, crime, criminal records, news, victims by sally

‘The public should be consulted on whether crime victims should be barred from getting compensation if they have an unspent conviction, judges say.’

Full Story

BBC News, 9th August 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk