Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

15.1
15.2
15.3
15.4
15.5
Article 15 - Equality before the law and civil matters
We welcome the UK’s support of Human Rights Council resolution 15/23 1 on the ‘Elimination
of laws and practices that discriminate against women’ in October 2010. However, many
of the proposals made and the actions taken by the Government in relation to women’s
equality and in civil matters since this time do not demonstrate the support of this resolution
and its enactment.
For example, a recent proposal to establish a women’s criminal justice policy unit within the
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) was unsuccessful. The proposed unit would have ensured joinedup
treatment of women offenders and would have addressed issues such as employment,
housing, mental health and support for families and children, with the aim of reducing the
number of women in the criminal justice system (CJS) and extending more support for
community sentences. 2 (See Appendix: 27)
The police service is facing a budget cut of 20% by 2014/15 which may reduce the support
available to victims and survivors of violence. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is also
facing cuts of 25%. Research into the experience of the CJS among women who have suffered
domestic or sexual violence shows that large numbers of women already “felt disillusioned
about the level of protection and response received from the police and felt they had unequal
access to the CJS.” 3
Despite the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer’s assurance that “the budget cuts
will not affect our service to victims of sexual offences and domestic abuse” and that violence
against women is a priority for the CPS, 4 we remain concerned that such substantial cuts may
have an impact on the resources available to prosecute cases of violence against women and
girls (VAWG). Government policy continues to pay disproportionate attention to criminal justice
responses to VAWG. This, combined with a general lack of availability of information on the civil
and criminal law remedies available in respect of VAWG, undermines the ability of women to
choose the remedy which they identify as the most appropriate in their own situation.
(See General Recommendation 19)
The provision of specialist voluntary and community services for VAWG is essential to facilitate
women’s access to legal remedies and increase their confidence in the CJS. 5 However, these
organisations are also facing crisis at a national and local level. (See Article 2 and Appendix: 5)
Case study: 6
“The Government must accept that women’s voluntary organisations have a wealth of
expertise, experience and knowledge with regard to male violence against women and
children.”
1. Human Rights Council (2010) Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council, 15/23 Elimination of discrimination against women.
Fifteenth session, Agenda item 3 http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/15session/A.HRC.RES.15.23_En.pdf
2. The Law Society Gazette (2012) ‘Women’s criminal justice policy proposal fails’, The Law Society Gazette, 21st March 2012 http://www.
lawgazette.co.uk/news/women-s-criminal-justice-policy-proposal-fails
3. Women’s National Commission (2009) Still We Rise: Report from WNC focus groups to inform the cross government consultation
”Together we can end violence against women and girls” http://eige.europa.eu/content/still-we-rise-report-from-wnc-focus-groups-toinform-the-cross-government-consultation-%E2%80%9Ctoge
4. Interviewed in Gentleman, A. (2011) “Restoring confidence so victims report rape is key”, The Guardian, 19th April 2011. http://www.
guardian.co.uk/society/2011/apr/19/keir-starmer-domestic-violence-rape-prosecution-guidelines
5. Rights of Women (2010) Measuring up? UK compliance with international commitments on violence against women in England and Wales.
ROW: London http://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/pdfs/Measuring_up_A_report_by_Rights_of_Women.pdf
6. Rights of Women (2010) Measuring up? UK compliance with international commitments on violence against women in England and Wales.
ROW: London http://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/pdfs/Measuring_up_A_report_by_Rights_of_Women.pdf
152 Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013