challenging institutional disbelief around domestic & sexual violence and abuse
Craig Whitelaw and Kristofer McLaren were convicted and sentenced to 9 years in prison for the rape of an 18 year old woman in Northallerton. In sentencing, Justice Males made it clear that both men made a choice to commit rape: But it was you, and only you, who deliberately took advantage of her condition, […]
Yet another independent report stating the obvious that male sexual predation upon female children and young women is a pandemic and not just happening in one or two cities in the UK. However, this report like previous reports on the issue of male sexual predation of female children has been depoliticised because apparently it is […]
Trials have outcomes. Juries make decisions. Judges oversee that process. This is British justice. Or is it? Because it is not good justice if some of the comments made during and after that trial do a deep damage to victims of the past, present and really importantly, of the future. When those comments are made […]
(Originally published at Crates & Ribbons) As most of you will have heard by now, an anonymous hacker has stolen the private images of a large number of female celebrities, and posted them on 4chan, an imageboard website notorious for being a cesspit of misogyny. Here are a selection of headlines I’ve seen today: The […]
Before starting, I think I should be transparent and say that I have my own issues with nightclubs and consent, you can read more here. Unless you live in one of those wonderful bubbles in which the popular “news” of the day passes you by, you will have probably seen the stories today circulating around […]
Ok, so I have to admit I’ve been watching Twitter blow up about feminist self-defence with growing irritation and frustration over the past couple of weeks. As I suppose 140 characters lends itself to, it seems to fast be becoming an argument with an ‘innovative’ ‘new idea’ and the suggestion that anyone questioning it holds […]
I recently read a blog on The Guardian’s website describing how some male students at Oxford University are wearing white ribbons to protest against and acknowledge the very real experiences of their fellow female students of sexual violence and misogynistic behaviour on campus. The campaign ‘It Happens Here’ has seen a number of women come […]
On June 9th, Leadership Journal (part of Christianity Today) published a piece – several pages long – by a youth pastor convicted of sexual abuse of a child. I will not link to it: it is horrific in its justifications, appalling it it’s narrative. Needless to say one section of the internet at least has […]
The debate that revolves around the accessibility of essential services by victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse often reveals the inadequacies that exist and how agencies still lack visibility. This has time and again led to victims who are in desperate need of access to services, being left with no support. The lack of […]
Western Morning News and their inability to report on Sexual Assaults responsibly. TW. Those at EVB know that I have quite a beef with my local newspaper, the Western Morning News. I am frequently dismayed at their inability to report on violence against women and girls without resorting to victim blaming, sympathetic tones, excuse making […]