HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK
---------------------------
Perhaps I'm being a bit dense but, why was this forwarded to the
group?
Much as I have always, always been an active fighter for women's
rights, I must admit I lost all respect for the vast majority of
'women's rights groups' who, almost uniformly, jumped on the 'Serb rape camp'
canard and screamed the loudest to begin and intensify HATO's gang rape of
Yugoslavia (which did wonders for all the women of Yugoslavia,
BTW).
Much as rape is absolutely impermissible among civilized people (IMHO),
these 'spokespeople' for women's groups have, (again, IMHO) totally undermined
any credibility they had by allying themselves with the likes of Clinton (a
known multiple abuser of women) and the entire HATO enterprise in
gang-raping Yugoslavia.
Cossack
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 09:28
Subject: FW: Compensation for Rape workshop, Legal
Action for Women [WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK]
HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK---------------------------
> -----Original
Message-----
> From: leila
> Sent: 26 March 2002
14:19
> To: eveyone
> Subject: FW: Compensation for Rape workshop,
Legal Action for Women
>
>
>
> -----Original
Message-----
> From: All Women Count
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: 26 March 2002
14:00
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Compensation for Rape workshop, Legal Action for
Women
>
> Legal Action for Women
> Crossroads Women> '>
s Centre PO Box 287 London NW6 5QU
> Tel: 020 7482 2496
minicom/voice Fax: 020 7209 4761
> E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> 13 March 2002
>
>
>
Self-help workshop:
> Claiming compensation for rape &
> other
sexual violence
>
> Thursday 11 April 2002, 2-5.30pm,
Crossroads Women> '> s Centre
>
>
> Dear
Friends,
>
> We are writing to invite you to a self-help workshop
on claiming criminal injuries compensation for rape. The workshop will
bring together rape survivors with organisations and lawyers who have supported
them, or who want to find out how they can be helpful.
>
>
We will hear from one of the women who brought and won the first private
prosecution for rape in England but saw her compensation award reduced because
she was a sex worker; other rape survivors who faced similar discrimination; and
the organisations and legal representatives who worked on their case.
>
> Whilst women who have pursued compensation claims have
developed vital expertise, this expertise is not generally recognised nor is it
available to others. As you know, rape is widespread, and although
reporting is on the increase, less than 7% of reported rapes result in
conviction. For any woman, official recognition that a serious crime has
been committed against her is a vital first step in the healing process.
Where the attacker is not convicted, criminal injuries compensation can provide
that vital acknowledgement as well as some resources to help rebuild one>
'> s life.
>
> But rape survivors face many obstacles in
claiming compensation. Some find themselves disbelieved by the Criminal Injuries
Compensation Authority (CICA), and their sexual and medical history is used to
humiliate and dismiss them. A woman> '> s > "> character and
conduct> "> is routinely used to deny her compensation,
discriminating against women on the basis of her occupation, lifestyle or
criminal convictions for prostitution, shoplifting or possession of
cannabis. And while a woman can apply for legal aid to get a lawyer to
prepare her claim or appeal, there is no legal aid for representation at the
appeal hearing.
>
> Working with Women Against Rape, which
has attended many hearings, we have been able to win higher awards for
women. We hope that the workshop will encourage lawyers and others to take
on this crucial area of work.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The workshop will begin
with women> '> s experiences of pursuing their own claims.
>
It will address the following:
>
> * Which experiences of claiming
compensation are common to all claimants and which are particular to rape
survivors.
> * How rape survivors have challenged sexism, racism
and other prejudices and discrimination by the CICA.
> * How to get the
best from lawyers, and from statutory and voluntary agencies.
> * How to
present or question the evidence of witnesses, police, doctors, psychiatrists
and other professionals so that it helps rather than undermine a claim.
>
* What has been won, in procedures, in decision-making and in the rules.
>
* What changes to press for and how to press for them most effectively.
>
* How to combine effective legal action with campaigning.
>
>
> This is the second in a series of workshops organised by Legal Action
for Women. The workshops aim to: give visibility to women who have
accumulated enormous skill, knowledge and insight through their work demanding
justice; put that experience at the disposal of others; evaluate how women>
'> s self-help enhances the legal and civil rights of the most disadvantaged
in society and how it can help to train others to demand better representation
and accountability from lawyers and other professionals, and get it.
>
> For those not familiar with our work.
> Legal Action for
Women (LAW) is a grassroots anti-sexist, anti-racist legal service for all
women. Since it began in 1982, it has focussed on providing free legal
advice and support to low-income women who are more likely to be denied
justice. LAW combines access to a network of sympathetic lawyers, with
experienced lay workers from similar backgrounds to the women using its
services. We have helped prevent many injustices and set important
precedents, including with the first private prosecution for rape in England,
which resulted in an 11-year conviction. We enclose some information about
our work.
>
> This workshop is open to the public and you are
welcome to pass this invite on to anyone you think may be interested.
Light refreshments will be provided. Please contact us if you need to book
a place in the crèche.
>
> Power to the sisters
>
>
>
> Nina Lopez-Jones
> Workshop
co-ordinator
>
>
---------------------------
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