News & Campaigns

All the latest from HER-itage and our affiliates

Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan – Public Feedback Sought by Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police recognise the grave levels of public concern following the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard and the sentencing of the police officer responsible.

There is no question that we have been rocked by what has happened. Other deeply troubling incidents and allegations raise further difficult questions for us.

We know a precious bond has been broken and I am committed to rebuilding the trust and confidence of all Londoners.

I recognise that for some this may be a significant ask. The Met has huge numbers of wonderfully professional officers and staff but I also recognise the actions of some are of serious concern and fall far below our standards.

Our work to rebuild trust focuses on how we will raise standards and ensure we have a positive, supportive and healthy culture that sets an example for all to follow.

Continues at https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/rebuilding-trust/

Public Feedback

Thank you for taking the time to read our Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan. We want to hear your views on the plan itself as well as comments on what else you think the Met should be doing. We will also be hosting discussions with partners in coming months. Each Basic Command Unit will engage with their local connections on the plan.

Please note this survey is not for reporting any incidents, crimes or seeking help. If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 999. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.

If you’re in danger but you can’t talk on the phone, you should still call 999, then follow these instructions.

If you have not yet seen our plan, you can find it here.

Tell us what you think about our plan to prevent violence against women and girls . The feedback we receive will form an integral part of our final plan.

Use the online form at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PublicFeedbackVAWG/ to give your feedback.

December 20, 2021

3 February 2022 ~ Delivering justice for victims: A consultation on improving victims’ experiences of the justice system – Ministry of Justice – Closing date

This consultation seeks to understand how we can improve victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system across England and Wales.

This consultation is the first significant step towards a landmark ‘Victims’ Law’ – a Bill which will build on the foundations provided by the Victims’ Code to substantially improve victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system. It will make a tangible difference to ensuring all victims of crime receive the support they need through and beyond the criminal justice process.

This consultation will consider how we can make concrete improvements to victims’ experience of and confidence in the criminal justice system, and their support. The resulting legislation will be the cornerstone of our work across government to ensure that victims’ needs lie at the heart of the criminal justice system.

The consultation asks questions across five key issues, focusing on:  

  • What victims should expect
  • Performance and accountability
  • The Victim Surcharge
  • Community-based support services
  • Improved advocacy support

This consultation is open to the public.

We would be particularly interested to hear from victims of crime, organisations representing victims, the police, criminal justice practitioners, service providers, health care professionals, Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities and community safety partnerships.

Give us your views

More details at https://consult.justice.gov.uk/victim-policy/delivering-justice-for-victims/

See press release at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-reforms-for-victims

December 20, 2021

UPSKIRTING: Public urged to report offenders as prosecutions double – CPS

Upskirting prosecutions more than doubled over the second year of the legislation being in force, with CPS analysis finding at least a third of offenders are also committing other serious sexual crimes.

In total, 46 men and one teenage boy were prosecuted for 128 offences under the Voyeurism (Offences) Act between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2021.

According to our analysis, 15 of the men prosecuted for upskirting since last April were simultaneously charged with other sexual crimes – including child abuse, sexual assault, extreme pornography, and wider voyeurism offences.

Shops, particularly supermarkets, remain by far the most common location for upskirting to take place, accounting for 36 per cent of offences since last spring.

Streets, parks, and public transport or connected areas made up the majority of the remaining locations where crimes occurred.
There were 16 offences where victims were identified as teenage girls, including pupils in school uniforms.

The evidence also shows some men are taking extensive measures to capture images and videos of women without their consent, hiding cameras in shoes or shopping baskets and using photography apps.

In one case, two men who arranged a visit to a shopping centre to upskirt women together and swapped covert images over WhatsApp were also found to have been sharing indecent images of children.

In the two years after the legislation came into force on 12 April 2019, a total of 63 defendants were charged with 175 offences of operating equipment under clothing without consent and recording an image under clothing without consent.

This covers only finalised cases, with the vast majority resulting in conviction after guilty pleas.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/upskirting-public-urged-report-offenders-prosecutions-double

December 20, 2021

4 February 2022 23:45 ~ Banning Conversion Therapy Consultation – Government Equality Hub – Closing date extended

Applies to England and Wales

  • The deadline for responding to this consultation has been extended to Friday 4 February 2022 at 11:45pm.
  • It is not necessary for those who have already responded to re-submit their responses.

The government will introduce a legislative ban on the practice of so-called conversion therapy. This consultation seeks views on proposals on how we plan to ban these practices, which particularly affect LGBT people.

This consultation closes on Friday 4 February 2022 at 11:45pm.

The consultation seeks views on a package of proposed measures that will apply to England and Wales. These include:

  • a ban on conversion therapy – introducing a new criminal offence alongside sentence uplifts for existing offences
  • a package of support for victims, restricting promotion of conversion therapies, removing profit streams, and strengthening the case for disqualification from holding a senior role in a charity
  • introducing Conversion Therapy Protection Orders to protect potential victims from undergoing the practice including overseas
  • exploring further measures to prevent the promotion and advertisement of conversion therapy

Once the consultation has closed, the responses will inform the final phase of work on the policy proposals. The Equality Hub will prepare draft legislation by spring 2022, which will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Easy Read

For Ways to respond go to https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-conversion-therapy

See:

 

December 17, 2021

5 January 2022 23:59 ~ Spiking in Nightclubs and Pubs – Online Survey – Home Affairs Committee – Closing date

The Committee wishes to explore the police and others’ response to reported incidents of spiking.

As part of this inquiry, the Committee has therefore launched a public survey to give individuals who have experienced or witnessed spiking the opportunity to explain what happened and what support was provided following the incident, including what happened if the incident was reported.

You can also share why you might have chosen not to report an incident.

You can complete this survey here until 11.59pm on Wednesday 5 January 2022.

If you have any questions, please contact homeaffcom@parliament.uk

https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/655/

See also:

 

December 10, 2021