Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

Recommendations

Info

19.26 19.27 19.28 19.29 Recommendations: • It is crucial that there is a minimum standards framework based on equality and human rights principles for all organisations working on VAWG and mandatory training for all teachers, social workers, police officers, health workers and other professionals distributed evenly throughout the country • The voluntary VAWG sector should be commissioned to deliver quality training on VAWG to a range of agencies as part of vocational qualifications and ongoing professional development and to increase the consistency in the implementation of existing good policy Sector-specific policies on VAWG It is disappointing that tackling abuse of women and girls is still not reflected properly in key Westminster Government policies. There is concern that the new ‘troubled families’ agenda fails to acknowledge and tackle VAWG and the impact of this on other issues within families. 40 The consultation and debate around porn filters 41 also does not reflect issues around VAWG, and key reports 42 on abuse have been undermined by parts of government. Domestic violence (DV) From March 2013 the cross-Government definition of DV has been extended. The two most significant aspects of the change are that: • new wording is to be used to capture the coercive control that is exercised by perpetrators; • young people aged 16 and 17 years old will now be included within the definition. Whilst the definition is not legally binding, it informs the work of all Government departments as well as statutory agencies like the police and Local Authorities. In the context of immigration law, the development of the definition may assist victims of DV who are applying under the Domestic Violence Rule 43 for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) who face challenges securing the evidence needed to support an application. (See Article 9 and Appendix: 8) The reference to isolation and the regulation of behaviour can be relied on to support applicants who were prevented from accessing services or other sources of support, while the reference to exploitation may benefit those who have criminal convictions as a result of the violence they have experienced. We hope that all documents will be updated with the new definition, for example the guidance for UKBA caseworkers (dated 25th January 2013), 44 so that representatives and advocates can familiarise themselves with the new definition and refer to it where necessary. 40. End Violence Against Women Coalition (2012) ‘’Troubled families’ report a missed opportunity’, EVAW website, 18th July 2012 http://www. endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/45/troubled-families-report-a-missed-opportunity 41. Cordon, G. (2012) ‘Ministers reject automatic web porn filter’, The Independent, 15th December 2012 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ uk/politics/ministers-reject-automatic-web-porn-filter-8420066.html 42. Children’s Commissioner (2012) The Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s Inquiry into Child Exploitation in Gangs and Groups. Interim Report, November 2012 http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_636 43. See para 298 of the Immigration Rules - UK Border Agency (2013) Victims of domestic violence http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/modernised/family/section4.pdf?view=Binary 44. UK Border Agency (2013) Victims of domestic violence http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/ modernised/family/section4.pdf?view=Binary 176 Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013
19.30 19.31 19.32 19.33 DV is still a huge issue in the UK: • between 7.5% and 10% of women experienced DV in 2010-11 45 • one in four women will experience DV in their lifetime 46 • if sexual assault and stalking are included, then 45% of the female population have experienced at least one incident of inter-personal abuse in their lifetimes 47 • DV has the highest repeat victimisation rate (43%) of any violent crime 48 and accounts for one in six incidents of violence. DV affects women of all ages and backgrounds regardless of economic or social status, race, and religion or immigration status. However, some women, such as BMER women, may face additional barriers such as racial discrimination or religious stereotyping, which prevents them from accessing protection. 49 Women aged 16-19 are at the highest risk of experiencing DV and sexual assault, yet relevant services are rarely available. 50 Case study: 51 “Our statistics tell us that approximately 90% of the women that approach us feel unable, unsafe and fearful of approaching mainstream services. This responds to gender, cultural and language barriers, the difficulties of understanding and negotiating the system, fear of being discriminated against and also a fear of statutory services including the police due to previous negative experiences in Latin America. Some of these women will put their lives and their integrity at risk without approaching mainstream services”. There are a range of criminal and civil law remedies which are designed to respond to and protect women from DV. However, the way that civil remedies have to be obtained can deter women from using them. 52 (See Appendix: 32) Case study: 53 “What was the most important thing the police did? Referring me to [support services]… but it’s all down to the police responding correctly in the first place.” Female survivor of DV. Previous research has found that more than 30% of DV cases start during pregnancy and 40-60% of women experiencing DV are abused while pregnant. 54 Awareness and appropriate 45. Domestic violence is often under-reported. The British Crime Survey 2009/10 records a rate of domestic violence of 7%: Home Office (2010) Crime in England and Wales 2009 to 2010: findings from the British crime survey and police recorded crime http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/crime-research/hosb1210/ Women’s Aid uses the figure of one in ten based on an analysis of more than ten different studies: Women’s Aid (2006) Statistics: How common is domestic violence? http://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-violence-articles.asp?section=00010001002200410001&itemid=1280&itemTitle=Statistics%3 A+how+common+is+domestic+violence Accessed: 21/04/13 46. Women’s Aid (2006) Statistics: How common is domestic violence? http://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-violence-articles.asp?sectio n=00010001002200410001&itemid=1280&itemTitle=Statistics%3A+how+common+is+domestic+violence Accessed: 21/04/13 47. Walby, S. and Allen, J. (2004) Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking: Findings from the 2001 British Crime Survey. Home Office Research Study 276. Home Office: London http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218135832/rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/ pdfs04/hors276.pdf 48. Kershaw, C, Nicholas, S. and Walker, A. (eds.) (2008) Crime in England and Wales 2007/2008: Findings from the British Crime Survey and police recorded crime http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218135832/rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb0708.pdf page 37 49. 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 50. Starmer, K. (2011) ‘Domestic Violence: the facts, the issues, the future’ a speech by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, 12th April 2011 http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/articles/domestic_violence_-_the_facts_the_issues_the_future/ 51. Latin American Women’s Rights Service http://www.lawrs.org.uk/ Accessed: 22/03/13 52. 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 53. Victim Support (2012) Listening and Learning: Improving support for victims in London. Produced by Victim Support in partnership with the Home Office and Ministry of Justice http://www.victimsupport.org/About-us/Policy-and-research/~/media/Files/Publications/ ResearchReports/VSA%20reports/Listening%20and%20learning%20-%20London 54. British Medical Association (1998) Domestic Violence: a health care issue? BMA: London Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013 177
Page 1 and 2:
Women’s equality in the UK - A he
Page 3 and 4:
Women’s equality in the UK - A he
Page 5 and 6:
Appendices (online only) Appendix 1
Page 7 and 8:
• the continued discrimination ag
Page 9 and 10:
• Develop a common model of analy
Page 11 and 12:
Article 9 - Nationality: One third
Page 13 and 14:
investment in social infrastructure
Page 15 and 16:
and increase the marginalisation of
Page 17 and 18:
have been no prosecutions in Englan
Page 19 and 20:
1 2 3 4 5 Introduction This is a Un
Page 21 and 22:
10 11 12 13 housing crisis, a ‘lo
Page 23 and 24:
1.1 1.2 1.3 Article 1 - Overarching
Page 25 and 26:
1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 Women’
Page 27 and 28:
1.17 1.18 1.19 Young women We are a
Page 29 and 30:
2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 consult to “remov
Page 31 and 32:
2.12 2.13 discrimination”. Howeve
Page 33 and 34:
2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 worsen gen
Page 35 and 36:
2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 CEDAW and the l
Page 37 and 38:
3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 would “increase
Page 39 and 40:
3.15 3.16 3.17 and accountable EHRC
Page 41 and 42:
3.22 3.23 3.24 report is was partic
Page 43 and 44:
classes, migrants, and Gypsy, Trave
Page 45 and 46:
the institutional discrimination an
Page 47 and 48:
5.5 5.6 5.7 Case study: 8 Sandra li
Page 49 and 50:
5.12 5.13 5.14 issue. A more approp
Page 51 and 52:
6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Article 6 - Exploit
Page 53 and 54:
6.9 6.10 6.11 to the protection and
Page 55 and 56:
6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 Office’s own
Page 57 and 58:
6.24 6.25 6.26 women and increase t
Page 59 and 60:
6.31 6.32 6.33 6.34 infrequent lap
Page 61 and 62:
7.1 7.2 Article 7 - Political and p
Page 63 and 64:
7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 The House of Lords
Page 65 and 66:
7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 Recommenda
Page 67 and 68:
7.21 7.22 7.23 Political representa
Page 69 and 70:
9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Article
Page 71 and 72:
9.9 9.10 Mainstreaming gender in th
Page 73 and 74:
9.15 9.16 9.17 biased views towards
Page 75 and 76:
9.21 9.22 9.23 9.24 women. 47 (See
Page 77 and 78:
9.28 9.29 9.30 9.31 New family migr
Page 79 and 80:
9.35 9.36 UKBA, where men and women
Page 81 and 82:
9.39 9.40 9.41 9.42 • Do not redu
Page 83 and 84:
9.46 Research on immigration case m
Page 85 and 86:
10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 The Educat
Page 87 and 88:
10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 boys and on
Page 89 and 90:
10.22 10.23 allow speakers to promo
Page 91 and 92:
10.29 10.30 10.31 10.32 Case study:
Page 93 and 94:
10.37 10.38 10.39 10.40 • Many wo
Page 95 and 96:
10.46 10.47 10.48 applications (fig
Page 97 and 98:
11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Article 11 - Em
Page 99 and 100:
11.8 11.9 are 754,000 women working
Page 101 and 102:
11.14 11.15 11.16 11.17 11.18 The g
Page 103 and 104:
11.24 11.25 11.26 per week or they
Page 105 and 106:
11.31 11.32 11.33 Introducing more
Page 107 and 108:
11.37 11.38 Case study: 83 Jasmine
Page 109 and 110:
11.42 11.43 11.44 11.45 At the 2012
Page 111 and 112:
12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 of women and en
Page 113 and 114:
12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 Translators
Page 115 and 116:
12.19 12.20 12.21 12.22 Barriers to
Page 117 and 118:
12.25 12.26 12.27 12.28 Gypsy and T
Page 119 and 120:
12.34 12.35 12.36 12.37 Older women
Page 121 and 122:
12.41 12.42 Recommendations: • Th
Page 123 and 124:
12.47 12.48 12.49 12.50 they are at
Page 125 and 126: 12.55 12.56 12.57 Case studies: 128
Page 127 and 128: 12.60 12.61 12.62 12.63 12.64 hospi
Page 129 and 130: 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Article 13
Page 131 and 132: 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 children ne
Page 133 and 134: 13.17 13.18 13.19 13.20 Welfare ref
Page 135 and 136: 13.25 13.26 13.27 13.28 because in
Page 137 and 138: 13.32 13.33 Case study: 57 “As a
Page 139 and 140: 13.36 13.37 allocation of resources
Page 141 and 142: 13.41 13.42 Homelessness, including
Page 143 and 144: 13.47 13.48 BME women would be left
Page 145 and 146: 13.52 13.53 13.54 13.55 with some l
Page 147 and 148: 13.60 13.61 13.62 effect to their p
Page 149 and 150: 14.6 14.7 14.8 disabled and lesbian
Page 151 and 152: 14.14 Gypsy and Traveller women suf
Page 153 and 154: 15.6 15.7 15.8 15.9 15.10 15.11 The
Page 155 and 156: 15.14 15.15 15.16 purport to be vic
Page 157 and 158: 15.21 15.22 15.23 Case study: 35
Page 159 and 160: 15.28 15.29 15.30 15.31 has not pro
Page 161 and 162: 15.35 15.36 behaviour by male priso
Page 163 and 164: 16.5 16.6 people being forced into
Page 165 and 166: 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15
Page 167 and 168: 16.21 16.22 frequently women’s ac
Page 169 and 170: Recommendations: • Parents with c
Page 171 and 172: 19.6 19.7 19.8 as well as for our c
Page 173 and 174: 19.13 19.14 19.15 19.16 The Governm
Page 175: 19.22 19.23 19.24 19.25 VAWG is a c
Page 179 and 180: 19.38 19.39 19.40 perpetrators thro
Page 181 and 182: 19.43 19.44 19.45 Support for victi
Page 183 and 184: 19.49 19.50 19.51 19.52 Recommendat
Page 185 and 186: 19.57 19.58 19.59 19.60 BMER VAWG p
Page 187 and 188: 19.62 19.63 19.64 19.65 VAWG in hea
Page 189 and 190: 19.70 19.71 19.72 Invisibility of s
Page 191 and 192: 19.77 19.78 19.79 A number of repor
Page 193 and 194: 19.85 19.86 means more provision. T
Page 195 and 196: Annex 1: The Devolved Administratio
Page 197 and 198: to 41.8% of rural men. 16 Rural are
Page 199 and 200: Annex 2: The UK’s relationship wi
Page 201 and 202: Annex 3: UK reservations and declar
Page 203 and 204: ESA - Employment and Support Allowa
Page 205 and 206: Annex 5: Acknowledgements Many than
Page 207: Women’s Resource Centre is suppor
show all

Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?