Bill to make upskirting criminal offence blocked by Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope

A bid to make upskirting a criminal offence has been blocked by a Tory MP to cries of “shame” in the House of Commons. The government had given its backing to the Voyeurism (Offences) Bill but Conservative Sir Christopher Chope shouted “object” during its second reading on Friday, The Independent reported.

EVAW implores Government to speak up on justice and support for all victims of sexual offences

Responding to the announcement on the 15^th June that the Government will back a Bill to make ‘upskirting’ a criminal offence, Professor Clare McGlynn of Durham University, expert on the law on sexual offences, and the End Violence Against Women Coalition, welcomed the measure but said there was more to be done. Read the full statement here.

Police Commissioner supports greater protection for victims of revenge porn and upskirting

Last week, the Sunderland Echo published an article following Dame Vera Baird QC’s support for the campaign urging the government to recognise the non-consensual natures of emerging forms of image-based sexual abuse. Read the full article here.

Stand Up Meets Shout-Up!

Read the article featured in Stand Up, following the progress of Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland’s campaign against sexual harassment in pubs and clubs.

Jobs: Acorns

Acorns are recruiting for a part time Advice & Support Worker for an immediate start if possible, to cover a fixed term 9 month period of adoption leave (25 hours per week, £14, 643 – FTE £21,086). The closing date for applications for this position is Friday 29th June 2018.

Call for participants: research into experiences of image-based sexual abuse

This research is investigating the nature and impacts of ‘image-based sexual abuse’ (or what some call ‘revenge porn’) among adults through participant interviews. The only requirement is that you are over the age of 18 years and live either in Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom. This invitation is open to all people, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, religion and ability. For more information or to take part in the research, visit the Images of Me website.

Trauma-informed recovery service model

The Department of Health and Social Care has published a commissioned report summarising current knowledge on trauma-informed care approaches to child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation. Areas covered include: defining trauma; impact of child sexual abuse and exploitation; and theories informing trauma-informed recovery. Describes a trauma-informed recovery service model, based on current research.

New website on policing and preventing child sexual abuse

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), Victim Support (VS) and the Children’s Society have created a new website of resources around policing and preventing child sexual exploitation (CSE) and abuse. The CSE Policing and Prevention website includes toolkits and guidance around such issues as: child criminal exploitation in relation to county lines; harmful sexual behaviour; supporting parents and carers; and working with children and young people who have a physical disability.

Source: NSPCC Caspar Alert

Disclosure in Rape Cases: Woman's Hour

Katie Russell from Rape Crisis England and Wales appeared on BBC Woman’s Hour last week, discussing the problems with disclosure of evidence in rape cases. Listen to the full conversation here.

Prospect survey finds widespread sexual harassment at work

A third of women have experienced workplace sexual harassment, a new survey conducted by Prospect has found. The survey was created with the aim of finding out how often people had seen, or personally been affected by, behaviours in the workplace which amount to bullying and harassment. One element focused solely on unwanted sexual behaviour. The disturbing findings indicate that many forms of sexual harassment are still prevalent across the UK workforce.

North East Women's Network