News & Campaigns

All the latest from HER-itage and our affiliates

Rape Crisis responds to Dame Elish Angiolini report

“…this report shines an honest light on what the whole system must do to ensure victims and survivors get the very best service.”

In response to the 2nd June 2015 press release(*) from the Metropolitan Police Service and Crown Prosecution Service about the independent review into the investigation and prosecution of rape in London, Rape Crisis England & Wales spokeswoman Katie Russell said:

“Rape Crisis welcomes the commitment to transparency, scrutiny and improvement that the commissioning and publication of this report from Dame Elish Anglioni into the investigation and prosecution of rape cases represents.

It’s encouraging to hear both the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police express such determination to improve the criminal justice experience for sexual violence survivors.

We’re particularly pleased that both services intend to implement recommendations such as an increase in specialist training without delay.

It should be noted, nonetheless, that this isn’t the first time we’ve heard positive sentiments such as these from criminal justice agencies and it is imperative now that encouraging words are translated into real action and cultural change.

Rape Crisis fully supports any call for increased resourcing to meet the unprecedented demand from sexual violence survivors since Operation Yewtree; the need for specialist, independent Rape Crisis support and advocacy has never been greater and sustained, dedicated funding for such services must be recognised by the Government as an urgent priority.

Despite the rise in sexual violence survivors reporting to the police, we must not forget that the majority still choose not to pursue criminal justice; this choice is their right and makes them no less deserving of social justice, in the form of access to specialist Rape Crisis services.”

Part of a longer press release at http://www.rapecrisis.org.uk/news_show.php?id=155

(*) See press release at http://www.womensgrid.org.uk/news/?p=4401

June 3, 2015

4 June 2015 18:30 ~ Beyond FGM Panel Debate and Fundraiser – London

Apiary Studios 458 Hackney Road, London E2 9EG, UK
Fee: £5.00

What: Panel event to debate how Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) can be stopped
Where: Apiary Studios, 458 Hackney Road, London, E2 9EG
When: Thursday 4 June, 6:30-8:30pm

Speakers: Multi-award winning FGM campaigner Leyla Hussein
UCL Hospitals’ Head of Urogynaecology, Dr Sohier Elneil
Beyond FGM charity founder Cath Holland
Whittington Hospital’s specialist midwife and clinic lead, Joy Clarke
Women who have suffered FGM

Contact: Event organiser and FGM survivor Fatoumata Jatta can be reached on 07955 566858 or at f.jatta08@googlemail.com

Government urged to provide guidance on FGM

The UK’s leading FGM campaigners will call on MPs to introduce new policies on how to engage affected communities at a Question Time style event in Hackney.

The debate, on the evening of 4 June, aims to raise awareness about the sensitive issue and air the views of experts and cut women on what ministers can do to help stamp out the controversial practice, which can lead to serious medical and psychological problems.

Women who have undergone FGM will be sharing their experiences at the event, along with Daughters of Eve co-founder Leyla Hussein, Chair of FGM charity Forward, Dr Sohier Elneil, Beyond FGM founder and midwife Cath Holland, and FGM specialist midwife and clinic lead at Whittington Hospital, Joy Clarke.

Cath Holland commented: “This event will bring together medical experts, activists, community members, cut women and their families to raise the profile of FGM issues. Together we are striving to bring about political change to educate and create a shared responsibility for FGM, as well as inspiring and empowering those affected by this horrific procedure.”

In 2014 the UK government started working with the European Union to prevent FGM in European communities. Speakers at the debate will discuss what more can be done to progress this work without alienating the communities which still believe the practice has social and cultural benefits.

The first official figures relating to FGM cases in England were recently published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. The data indicated that nearly 1,300 women previously subjected to FGM were being treated by 125 acute hospitals trusts in England at the end of September 2014, and that more than 2,600 new cases were identified between then and January 2015.

The panel event is open to the public and aims to raise money for Beyond FGM. For more information about the charity, please visit www.beyondfgm.co.uk

Notes: Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, including the clitoris and labia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

The harmful effects of FGM can include haemorrhage, shock, sepsis, psychological trauma and even death. The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths. Increasingly, however, FGM is being performed by health care providers.

An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM, according to World Health Organisation figures.

Special Thanks To Our Sponsors Hackney Brewery, Pressure Drop, Amathus, And Hurwundeki.

Buy tickets online at https://www.ticketea.com/panel-event-to-debate-how-female-genital-mutilation-fgm-can-be-stopped/

June 3, 2015