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 -----
From: "jonathan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 09:28
Subject: FW: Compensation for Rape workshop, Legal
Action for Women [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 cr�che.
>
> Power to the sisters
>
>
>
> Nina Lopez-Jones
> Workshop co-ordinator
>
>
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