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> -----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 cr�che. > > Power to the sisters > > > > Nina Lopez-Jones > Workshop co-ordinator > > --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
