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All the latest from HER-itage and our affiliates

England and Wales highest number recorded violent sexual crimes in the EU – Eurostat

About 215 000 violent sexual crimes were recorded by the police in the European Union (EU) in 2015. A third of these (nearly 80 000) were rapes.

More than 9 in 10 rape victims and more than 8 in 10 sexual assault victims were girls and women, while nearly all those imprisoned for such crimes were male (99%).

In absolute terms, police in England & Wales* recorded the highest number of violent sexual offences (64 500, of which 35 800 rapes – 55%), followed at a distance by Germany (34 300, of which 7 000 rapes – 20%), France (32 900, of which 13 000 rapes – 40%) and Sweden (17 300, of which 5 500 rapes – 33%).

The source datasets can be found here (violent sexual crimes recorded), here (victims by sex) and here (imprisoned for violent sexual crimes).

Number of sexual violence offences relative to the population: highest in Sweden and the UK

Relative to the population of each Member State, Sweden recorded the highest number, with 178 violent sexual crimes per 100 000 inhabitants, ahead of Scotland* (163), Northern Ireland (156), England & Wales* (113) and Belgium (91). For rapes, the highest rates were recorded in England & Wales* (62 rapes per 100 000 inhabitants) and in Sweden (57).

It should be borne in mind that the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual number of violent sexual crimes. Rather they show to what extent such crimes are reported to and recorded by police. Therefore the variation between countries is also influenced by general awareness and attitudes to sexual violence offences.

This news item marks the International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November).

* Due to the different legal systems in force, data for the United Kingdom are only available at subnational level.

Figures for each category refer to the most recent year for which data are available.

Source http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/EDN-20171123-1

November 29, 2017

Amnesty reveals alarming impact of online abuse against women

New research by Amnesty International has revealed the alarming impact that abuse and harassment on social media are having on women, with women around the world reporting stress, anxiety, or panic attacks as a result of these harmful online experiences. 

Amnesty International commissioned an IPSOS MORI poll which looked at the experiences of women between the ages of 18 and 55 in Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the UK and USA.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of the women surveyed across these eight countries said they had experienced online abuse or harassment at least once, ranging from 16% in Italy to 33% in the US.

Alarmingly, 41% of women who had experienced online abuse or harassment said that on at least one occasion, these online experiences made them feel that their physical safety was threatened.

Amnesty International polled women describing themselves as moderate to active internet users about their experiences of online abuse and harassment.

Across all countries, just under half (46%) of women responding to the survey who had experienced online abuse or harassment said it was misogynistic or sexist in nature.

Between one-fifth (19% in Italy) and one-quarter of women who had experienced abuse or harassment said it had included threats of physical or sexual assault.

58% of survey participants across all countries who had experienced abuse or harassment said it had included racism, sexism, homophobia or transphobia.

26% of women who’d experienced abuse or harassment across all countries surveyed said personal or identifying details of them had been shared online (also known as “doxxing”).

Over half (59%) of women who’d experienced abuse or harassment online said it came from complete strangers.

The psychological impact of online abuse can be devastating.

  • Across all countries 61% of those who said they’d experienced online abuse or harassment said they’d experienced lower self-esteem or loss of self-confidence as a result.
  • More than half (55%) said they had experienced stress, anxiety or panic attacks after experiencing online abuse or harassment.
  • 63% said they had not been able to sleep well as a result of online abuse or harassment. Three-quarters (75%) in New Zealand reported this effect.
  • Well over half (56%) said online abuse or harassment had meant that they had been unable to concentrate for long periods of time.

A silencing effect

Social media platforms, especially for women and marginalized groups, are a critical space for individuals to exercise the right to freedom of expression. Online violence and abuse are a direct threat to this freedom of expression.

Over three quarters (76%) of women who said that they had experienced abuse or harassment on a social media platform made changes to the way they use the platforms. This included restricting what they post about: 32% of women said they’d stopped posting content that expressed their opinion on certain issues.

Around a quarter (24%) of women surveyed who said that they had experienced abuse said that it had made them fear for their family’s safety.

In all countries polled, significantly more women said government policies to respond to abuse were inadequate versus adequate, with 5 times as many women in Sweden stating the policies were inadequate (57% compared to 11%). Around 1/3 of women in the UK (33%), USA and New Zealand (32%), stated the police response to abuse online was inadequate.

The survey also indicates that women feel social media companies need to do more. Just 18% of women polled across all countries said that the responses of social media companies were very, fairly or completely adequate.

Amnesty International notes that the right to freedom of expression protects expression which may be offensive, deeply disturbing, and sexist. However, freedom of expression does not include advocacy of hatred or violence. What’s more, the right to freedom of expression must be enjoyed equally by everyone, and includes the right for women to express themselves and live free from violence and abuse, both online and offline.

Social media platforms explicitly state that they do not tolerate targeted abuse on the basis of a person’s gender or other forms of identity, and they now need to enforce their own community standards. They should also enable and empower users to utilize individual security and privacy measures such as blocking, muting and content filtering. This will allow women, and users in general, to curate a less toxic and harmful online experience.

Social media companies must also ensure that moderators are trained in identifying gender and other identity-related threats and abuse on their platforms.

Amnesty International is also calling on governments to ensure that adequate laws, policies, practices and training are in place to prevent and end online violence and abuse against women.

However, it is critical that no undue restrictions or penalties are placed on the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. Tackling online violence and abuse must not be used as an excuse to reduce the enjoyment of freedom of expression.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/11/amnesty-reveals-alarming-impact-of-online-abuse-against-women/

November 29, 2017

14 December 2017 ~ Help NUS Women address staff-student sexual misconduct – survey closes

NUS Women’s Campaign launches research into staff-student sexual misconduct in higher education. Share your experiences to help us better understand the problem and do something about it.   

Help us understand staff-student sexual misconduct, share your experiences, and if you’d like to attend one of our focus groups looking into the issue, email policy@nus.org.uk.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of this ground-breaking piece of research on staff-student sexual misconduct. This is a collaboration between NUS Women’s Campaign and The 1752 Group, a research and lobbying organisation working on the issue of staff sexual misconduct in higher education, and the foremost experts in this area. We also hope these findings will be used by national organisations such as the Universities UK and the Equality Challenge Unit to propose changes in the sector.

This research will allow us to investigate the scale of the problem in the UK and inform policy in the higher education sector. The survey asks if students have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct from staff, and their experience of reporting these types of behaviours to their institution. It also asks about the types of behaviour students are comfortable with from staff, a topic that will be explored in more depth in our student focus groups (see dates below).

The Changing the Culture report published by Universities UK in November last year, signified a much-needed shift in how universities respond to instances of harassment on campus. However, the report failed to mention policies and practices for cases surrounding abuse perpetrated by staff. I hope our work will begin to address this.

As it currently stands, many institutions are ill-equipped to deal with instances of staff-student harassment (or indeed, harassment in general). A lack of research in the area, combined with a lack of understanding has meant that many universities do not have basic guidelines on this issue. To quote Anna Bull from the 1752 Group, “this research will allow us to start to understand students’ experiences of sexual misconduct by university staff, as well as where the gaps are in universities’ responses.”

In May 2016, renowned academic, Professor Sara Ahmed, resigned as Director of the Centre of Feminist Research at Goldsmiths, University of London. Ahmed later penned a series of blogs, Speaking Out and Resignation is a Feminist Issue to highlight the failure of institutions, in this instance Goldsmiths, to address the issue of sexual harassment.

Most recently, Graham Towl and Kelsey Paske wrote about the ‘huge incentive’ for universities to retain academics who have harassed or assaulted other staff or students because of the significant revenue and research grant they bring. Towl and Paske shine a light on how universities are prioritising reputational damage over the welfare of students.

There is a still a long way for us to go, but I am proud that the Women’s Campaign and The 1752 Group are taking a lead on this pertinent issue. For too long, these problems have been at best sidelined and at worst silenced by institutions. We need to talk about the open secrets that plague academia, to challenge cultures of entitlement and stop abuses of power wherever they happen.

Your contributions are crucial for this vital piece of work. The survey is for all current students, as well as ex-students who have experienced sexual misconduct, and will be open until 15 December. Participants will be entered into a draw to win five lots of £100. It should take between ten and twenty minutes to complete, and all results will be anonymised.

We are also looking for participants for focus groups, which will specifically be about professional boundaries between staff and students. These will be on 28 November, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 December. If you can make any of these dates, please email policy@nus.org.uk and we’ll send you more details. Again, your contribution to these will remain anonymous.

This work wouldn’t be possible without your support – please fill in the survey before 15 December and email policy@nus.org.uk if you want to take part in our focus groups.

Thank you in advance for supporting this vital piece of work.

https://www.nusconnect.org.uk/articles/help-us-address-staff-student-sexual-misconduct

November 29, 2017

1 March 2018 ~ Gender Recognition Act Consultation in Scotland closes

Consultation seeks views on simplifying legal processes.

Plans have been unveiled to make it simpler – and less intrusive – for transgender people to be legally recognised in their acquired gender.

Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equality Angela Constance has launched a consultation on proposals which would bring Scotland into line with international best practice including:

  • Replacing requirements to provide medical evidence and to live in an acquired gender for two years when seeking legal gender recognition, with a self-declaration system
  • Reducing the age at which recognition can be obtained to 16, and considering options for under-16s
  • Options for the legal recognition of non-binary people – people who do not identify as male or female

Ms Constance said:

“Scotland rightly has a reputation as one of the most progressive countries in relation to LGBTI legal and human rights equality in Europe – but we need to do more to progress equality for trans people.

“Both our Fairer Scotland Action Plan and this year’s Programme for Government commit to renewing the 2004 Gender Recognition Act. This Act was once considered ahead of its time but it now needs updated so we can ensure we are creating a fairer Scotland for those who are transgender and non-binary.

“By holding a full and wide ranging consultation we can make sure that our law is fit for purpose and in line with international best practice. This is a vital conversation and one which will ensure transgender and non-binary people in Scotland are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.”

Background

Under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, it is possible to apply to a Gender Recognition Panel and obtain a full Gender Recognition Certificate.  A person with a full Gender Recognition Certificate is recognised legally as having acquired a new gender. The consultation proposes to streamline the process.

The 2004 Act describes an applicant’s acquired gender as the gender in which they are living (either the ‘male gender’ or the ‘female gender’).

The consultation can be found online.

Press Release at https://news.gov.scot/news/gender-recognition-act

See also https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-action-to-promote-lgbt-equality

November 29, 2017

1 December 2017 14:00 ~ Clear Lines Festival – London – until 3 December 2017

Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA

2017 will see the conversation continued and bring together a new programme of artists, creatives, activists, professionals, academics, media and the public to talk about sexual assault and consent and where we are now. How has the narrative changed?

Addressing Sexual Assault and Consent through the Arts and Discussion 

The Clear Lines Festival will hold its 2nd edition on Dec 1-3 in Shoreditch, London, to talk about sexual assault and consent and where we are now.  How has the narrative changed?  Clear Lines aims to replace the shame and stigma around these issues with insight, understanding, and community. All are invited to participate in this unique event, bringing together artists, activists, survivors, academics, frontline workers, therapists, journalists and members of the public for three days of panel discussions, artistic showcases and workshops.

See the Clear Lines website for more information.

Friday 1st December – Venue 2 @ Rich Mix

I know what consent is… – FREE ADMISSION – 2 – 3:30pm
The opening event of Clear Lines 2017 will see us exploring what is consent and what does it look like in the eyes of a young woman or man today? We’ll be discussing the realities of being young and the thoughts around consent, hearing from a broad range of panellists inlcuding members from Brook, Tender, and Rape Crisis South London, lead by renowned academic, Professor Liz Kelly.

Consent and the Media – FREE ADMISSION – 4 – 6pm
Consenting to a media interview can be a wonderful opportunity to get a story heard and to move people with experiences and knowledge. But it can sometimes lead to survivors feeling triggered during or after the experience, or their story being edited in a way that they’re not happy with. How can survivors work together with journalists and broadcasters who cover these stories to ensure the published piece benefits survivors, the media, and the public?
This panel shares experiences from survivors who have worked with the media, journalists who have covered these issues and charity sector professionals who work with both activists and the media.
Curated by award-winning charity On Road Media who work with activists and the media to promote new content and a better understanding of social issues through the Angles project.

Film Night – £16 / £12 – 7 – 10pm
An exclusive screening of three thought-provoking documentary films, from the UK, Ireland, and Norway. Each film in its own way provides a unique platform for survivors to voice their experiences and paths to recovery. To be followed by a Q&A with the local and international filmmakers, some of whom have flown to London specifically for Clear Lines.
* Finding Solace (UK) – The result of a partnership between Solace Women’s Aid and See Change Films, this film documents the journey of a group of women who learn filmmaking skills as a way to speak out about the abuse they have faced in their lives.
* Voldtatt (60 min, Norway, Dir. Linda Steinhoff) – A one-of-a-kind documentary made by survivor Linda Steinhoff as she interviews a convicted rapist, a victim, a psychiatrist, a lawyer, her boyfriend, and many others, asking questions that often aren’t asked. Winner: Best Norwegian Documentary and Audience Award at BIFF Festival 2015.
* Unbreakable: True Lives – Part 2 (45 min, Ireland, Dir. Pam Drynan) – Four very different women who have been the victims of shocking sexual crimes. Here they share the truth about their experiences: the violence, trauma, anger, desperation, and the daunting process to regain a semblance of their former selves. This film created a stir when it aired in Ireland on TV3 in September.

Saturday 2nd December – Venue 2 @ Rich Mix

Sexual Trafficking: Where is the consent? – FREE ADMISSION – 12 – 1:15pm
This session will look to draw a picture of the extent of sexual trafficking in the UK. We will look at how clients are being enslaved, the extent of the abuse and the long term impact on their life. We will discuss the support available and how to identify potential victims. Chaired by Pamela Zaballa of Hestia.

Sexual Assault and Disability – FREE ADMISSION – 1:30 – 2:30pm
Despite being more than twice as likely to be victims of sexual assault, disabled people are often told ‘things like that don’t happen to people like you’. Why does society hold this belief? Why are we at such a high risk? This panel will explore these questions, alongside discussing the unique barriers disabled victims of sexual assault face in accessing support and justice. It will be led by Disabled Survivors Unite, with panelists including Ashley Stephen, Lynne Tooze, Rahma Hussein, and Rosemary Frazer.

Literary Approaches to Sexual Violence – FREE ADMISSION – 3 – 4:15pm
Join New York Times bestselling author Marti Leimbach (Age of Consent), graphic novelist Una (Becoming/Unbecoming), and Clear Lines Co-Founder Winnie M Li (winner of Not The Booker Prize for Dark Chapter) as they discuss drawing from one’s own lived experience to write about sexual violence. What ethical considerations must a survivor/writer take on board? Is creating literature from trauma triggering or healing? And do we write these works for ourselves or for others?
Books by the authors will be availble for sale (courtesy of Housmans Booksellers), so you can buy your own signed copy.

I Heart Consent Workshop – FREE ADMISSION – 4:15 – 5:45pm
A 90 minute awareness workshop exploring sexual consent in both law and practice, including the concept of enthusiastic consent. At the heart of the session is a re-framing of the way that society views sexual consent, challenging myths and attitudes which create a conducive context for sexual violence to be perpetrated.
Information about specialist support services will be available and provided throughout the session. This session is facilitated by Rape Crisis South London / Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC). Limited space.

Visual Arts Discussion – FREE ADMISSION – 4:30 – 5:30pm
How can we use visual art to address our own trauma and shift the public understanding of sexual assault, abuse, and consent? How can images confront embodiment and memory in ways that other art forms cannot? A panel of artists consider these questions in their work across sculpture, photography, graphics, and installation. Some of the art discussed will be on display in the Clear Lines space at the Rich Mix.

Theatrical Showcase – £14 / £10 – 6 – 7:50pm
Two unique and powerful plays, never before staged in this way. An expanded version of ‘This is How it Happens,’ which was previously performed at Clear Lines 2015. Followed by the World Premiere of ‘Delete,’ longlisted for the prestigious Papatango Prize 2017 and performed here as a rehearsed reading. Together these two plays explore the fragility of self-actualisation in a world teeming with gendered abuse and intimidation, both online and offline. Includes a Q&A with the theatre-makers.
* ‘This is How It Happens’ by Tanaka Mhishi. Director: Ella Marchment. Cast: Robert Thorpe-Woods.
* ‘Delete’ by Nina Millns. Director: Imogen Butler-Cole. Cast: Ayesha Antoine, Anna Lanyon, Matthew Hebden.

Comedy Night – £20 / £15 – 8 – 10pm
Award-winning Sara Pascoe , host Tiff Stevenson, Alice Fraser plus special guest are our stellar line-up of stand-up comedians tackling the issue of sexual assault and consent. They’ll poke fun at some of the cultural attitudes surrounding rape, sexuality, and the objectification of women. Oh, and everything that #MeToo is about, too.

Sunday 3rd December – Venue 1 @ Rich Mix

Reclaiming Justice – FREE ADMISSION – 12 – 1pm
Is it possible to reclaim justice for ourselves? In a world where few victims of sexual offences are able to achieve the kind of justice our criminal justice system offers this workshop is a space for us to explore what reclaiming justice for ourselves might look like. Is the temporary imprisonment of the abuser the best kind of justice for everyone or can we imagine the types of justice that sit outside of the system – justice in terms of our health, our relationships, being heard, or being believed by the people who should care about us. Come and participate in this workshop if you’d like a space to think about what justice could mean for you or for society as a whole. Facilitated by Dr. Nina Burrowes, Jade Swaby, Nina Millns and Emily Jacob.

What difference does race make? Sexual Violence and BAME Identity – FREE ADMISSION – 1:15 – 2:45pm
How is a survivor’s experience different if she or he comes from a BAME community — or identifies as an ethnic or cultural minority? What additional challenges come from the intersection of sexual violence and ethnicity? Often the survivors we see in the British media are white, but gender-based violence affects all of society, and each demographic scenario can bring complications. Are certain cultures more willing to overlook marital rape? Does being BAME within British society make it harder to report, to be believed, to access the resources you need to recover — either from public authorities or from your own community? Or is gender-based violence too often written off as ‘part of that culture’ and something that can’t be fixed? This panel of specialists will attempt to answer some of these questions, drawing from their own experience as survivors or working in the field. Chaired by Professor Amina Memon.

Queering Sexual Violence – FREE ADMISSION – 3 – 4pm
Inspired by the book with the same name this discussion will explore how sexual violence impacts the LGBTQI* community including asking why there is a higher prevalence of abuse experiences within our community, do we do enough to create safe spaces of support, and are we able to be good sexual partners to people who’ve experienced abuse in the past? We’ll also explore whether there is a useful queer lens to understanding life after abuse, is abuse a form of ‘othering’ leaving you living in a world that was never designed for people like you? Chaired by psychologist and activist (and co-founder of the Clear Lines Festival) Dr Nina Burrowes.

Creative Showcase – FREE ADMISSION – 4:30 – 5:30pm
How can creative performance enable us to make sense of our own experiences? In this hour, we’ll discuss the role of drama and performance in exploring our own understanding of sexual assault and abuse. Featuring a conversation with activists like the Survivors’ Collective and a performed extract from the play ‘Anne Meets Jeffrey,’ by Emma Berentsen and Tiffany Murphy.

Foreign Body – £14 / £10 – 6 – 7:30pm
Foreign Body is a beautifully crafted debut solo show about hope, healing and forgiveness after sexual assault. The story is told through verbatim recordings of interviews with the survivor and perpetrator of the same assault alongside the voices of eight other survivors, all of which are woven into a stunning original soundtrack. This is charged in combination with physical theatre – the body of the assaulted person moving through the journey from denial to realisation, rage to healing dance. Foreign Body is a brave, liberating and life-affirming story.
The play aims to destigmatise dialogue around sexual violence and point to the potential for healing. As such we will offer a post-show Q&A alongside sector specialists.

Spoken Word Showcase – £8 / £6 – 8 – 9:30pm
Our closing event features award-winning writers like Sabrina Mahfouz, Bridget Minamore, and Seraphima Kennedy, with a range of literary and performance styles. Their poetry and prose will explore lived experiences of gender and self-expression, addressing sexual assault, harrassment, and consent. Includes a performed extract from ‘Sometimes I Smile Politely’ by Ness Lyons, which premiered at the Women of the World Festival 2016. Curated with the help of writer S.K. Perry.

To register for workshops and / or buy tickets go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/clear-lines-festival-tickets-39814849286

November 29, 2017