The risk of you being murdered by a controlling abusive partner sky rockets after leaving the relationship. This is a fact. Please consider making a safety plan and talking to charities like
@womensaid
before leaving.
Last year I was in court being cross examined for 4.5 hours which lead to a not guilty verdict and a suicide attempt. This year I am picking up the keys to my new house 🏡🥂❤️. While things are still dragging and I’m still recovering. Things are defo on the up.
In my trial I was asked if I had borderline personality disorder. I said I had not been diagnosed. The lawyer for the defendant then started shouting at my lawyer because he assumed I did.
Mr Alonzi, the lawyer acting for the defendant asked Ms Wilson, a rape survivor if she had had narcissistic personality disorder.
Ms Wilson replied that she did not.
What on earth has a woman’s mental health got to do with whether she was raped? No wonder so few victims trust
And this is not the first time we’ve heard lies from his party in parliament. They also said we can get zoom links to listen to trials and separate rooms and even receive an audio recording. None of this is the reality for victims.
@AlexChalkChelt
The Prime Minister has outright lied. He says the govt ‘already offer a free service to families of homicide victims’ to obtain court transcripts, yet myself as one of those bereaved families has had my request denied several times over ⬇️
I’m not allowed to name my perp because he was found “not guilty”. The laws and courts in the UK protect perpetrators and create a culture of secrecy. There is nothing open about justice.
This is a significant case. With poor justice outcomes in domestic abuse cases, victims must not be criminalised if they speak out publicly about their abuse when the criminal justice system has failed to protect them.
When victims like Jade hold the system accountable, they do it for the next victim that comes along as these learnings never benefit themselves. The courage and strength it takes to hold on for years is incredible and should be recognized. You are amazing
@jadeblueLDN
I am thrilled to share that I’ve achieved a landmark victory by successfully suing the Crown Prosecution Service for breaching my human rights by failing to prosecute my rapist.
The news of Weinstein’s rape overturn is another kick in the stomach for victims of rape. Look out for each other because these blows are hard to handle. Every. Single. Time.
Today myself and a lot of other strong survivors are launching a campaign with
@LDNVictimsComm
and
@sarahjolney1
to demand open justice. Victims deserve the right to free transcripts. To know what was said. For closure, for understanding and to hold those in power accountable.
My previous head of department and previous boss testified for my abuser as a character witness. All 20 years+ older than me, and with previous legal duty of care. He still abused me.
I’ve seen it all. Mothers, fathers, siblings, ex-partners, work colleagues, neighbours, friends, even their children giving partisan evidence to protect men accused of abusing women. He might be a good son, worker, friend but that doesn’t mean he’s not an abuser.
Big week ahead for the FREE TRANSCRIPTS FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC ABUSE petition. Meetings with various people. Great to see MPs wanting to get involved. Let’s go 💪🏼
Sign
Like
Retweet
Hi
@DameLynneOwens
do you remember when I sat across from you and told you my story of how I was treated? And you looked me in the eyes and promised that you wanted to make changes. I put that story into 15 points of complaint. All 15 have come back as “no action” & “no learning”
This makes me feel sick. It shows how these men don’t take VAWG seriously nor understand the grave reprocessing of these crimes. “Home Secretary James Cleverly apologises for 'ironic joke' about spiking wife's drink.”
.
@RishiSunak
, earlier this year,
@HumzaYousaf
announced that the Scottish Government would commit to a pilot scheme allowing complainers in sexual offences cases to access the transcripts for free. (Thanks to
@ellieokwilson
). Lets do the same in England - Survivors deserve better
A victim should have the right to know what was said in their trial. The right to have the evidence to question statements made in their trial without a bill of thousands of pounds.
Like, sign, retweet.
As a barrister, I am facing disciplinary proceedings by
@barstandards
for expressing frustrations at the “echoes of a boys’ club attitude” in a family court judgment by a judge & member of the Garrick. The disciplinary judge recused himself, as he was a member of the Garrick too.
This week has been immense & intense. I hope my voice helps others and we can change the experience for victims to come. The justice system can’t keep going the way it does right now. Write to your MP, ask my labour isn’t backing this and keep shouting. We need
#OpenJusticeForAll
For me to hold the judge accountable of what she and others said about me in court I would have to fork out thousands of pounds. I won’t get Justice until people are held accountable. Make court transcripts free for victims.
@aliciaandrz
I find you inspirational and you are incredibly strong. Can you pick up a simple crafts or do a puzzle or some Lego? I know suicidal ideation isn’t the same but when I have those feelings I find keeping my hands busy helps
So excited, and proud to announce I am a UN Women's Delegate this year. I will be continuing the work that I am doing for women's rights in the UK justice system focussing on rights of victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault.
@UNWomenUK
Spent today in Westminster talking to MPs and Journo’s. Thanks for your support. what I really want is
@UKLabour
putting their money where their mouths are. Back the call for
#OpenJusticeForAll
- free access to judges summing up and sentencing.
@ShabanaMahmood
@OpenJustice4All
Today is a big day for my in my journey towards some sort of justice. Firstly the Family Courts have admitted wrongdoing and fault - but refuse to meet me to ask for better conditions for women applying for nonmols in domestic or sexual abuse cases. This isn’t
#openjustice
Penetration by coercion is RAPE.
Demanding sex which leads to a penetrative act is RAPE.
Sex in a coercive and controlling relationship with a power imbalance is RAPE.
I support
@Right2Equality
’s campaign to implement Affirmative Consent.
Petition ⬇️
Three in four rape survivors’ mental health harmed during police investigation. I shared my story and experience with The Independent. The system needs a reform.
Top judges in E&W have green lit special measures to allow courts to sit for longer - up to 24hrs a day - to handle expected surge in prosecutions of people accused of disorder and violence.
Some 70 prosecutors worked all weekend to boost the rate police can charge suspects.
The Met rang me to go over my additional evidence for my report. They didnt warn me, wanted me to recollect detail of abuse there and then, dig out receipts all in a 20 minute spontaneous call. When will they learn that this is not how you treat victims of Sexual Abuse?
Sir Jonathan Cohen was due to hear case involving rape complainant but second judge ruled he should not hear it — in part because he’s a member of the all-male Garrick Club. This is the second judge who has been recused because of Garrick membership.
I am representing the woman.
The reality of victims: only starting to work through the abuse and trauma months after court, as advised not to do it pre court. When can we ever move on? I’m having a really tough day of flashbacks after nightmares. Someone fight the fight for me today?
Just read the judges comments on my verdict. I want to throw up. I urge judges to speak with compassion about victims. I didn’t go through a 3 year investigation for fun. But sure babe - my 10 month wait to report and ability to reflect now is the problem.
#DomesticAbuse
It seems like there is a lot of discussion around this campaign. And I think it will land different with different survivors. But for me, it feels powerful to claim it back. To be able to clearly say that you are consenting. It gives me to power.
Emily Atack and I will be on
@BBCBreakfast
at 8.30am to talk about our new campaign: affirmative consent to sex with
@Right2Equality
@CPB_LDN
.
Clear verbal enthusiastic YES means YES.
If a rape victim wants to read the transcript of her family court hearing she may have to pay thousands of pounds. How is that open, affordable justice? Some victims struggle to recall what happened at the hearing due to trauma. Fully support the campaign for free transcripts.
As we are moving into the next stage of the
#OpenJustice
campaign, we are launching a web page to hold all the information & the ability to write your MP directly. We are looking for some donations to get us going
#donation
#gofundme
What is
@AlexChalkChelt
doing to reassure women around the UK when the conviction rate is below 2% for rape and abuse and now judges are told to actively not give a jail sentence. Because I am angry, I’ve had enough of this and I’m also afraid.
#VAWG
In the UK I’ve never been underweight “enough” to receive NHS treatment. Yet I was fainting on a daily basis and ended up in A&E a few times. Private treatment is what saved me - and continues to save me.
#dumpthescales
#mentalillness
#anorexia
Free court transcripts for survivors of sexual offences and domestic violence.
Survivors are being faced with staggering bills to get access to court hearing transcripts.
Sign this petition to follow Scotland in allowing access to victims for free.
Received a report back from the
@metpoliceuk
of a complaint I made. I’ll save you the time TLDR - No actions or learnings. Jesus wept. How’s the reform going lads?
@juterlizzi
@ellieokwilson
managed to convince Scotland to scrap these charges. Hopefully the UK will follow. I had the same issue. I have not seen my transcripts either and when requested, to be told there would be a fee.
I don’t know what was said about me or the reasoning for the verdict, that was shared about me, in my trial. Requesting transcripts will cost tens of thousands of pounds. Sign if you agree victims of sexual and domestic abuse should get access for free
Judges are not held accountable. My judge blamed me for waiting 8 months to report a 3 year physically, emotionally and sexually abusive relationship. We can’t allow them to go on without accountability.
A UK judge when jailing a man for strangling his wife told him she was ‘a drunken woman who regularly made his life a misery’
‘The evidence is most of the arguments were started by your wife, & those consisted of her repeatedly & continuously belittling & undermining you.
This gives me hope for when my case goes to court with the support of
@DrProudman
Thank you for all your support and continuous pushing for women’s safety.
I'm immensely proud of Kate and of all those who are fighting for the safety of survivors and children.
If you didn't catch the clip live, it's available on Channel 4's website.
Their game is to make you give up. But I won’t. I’ll keep going until I get an appropriate response. An actual apology. So review incoming. Here we go again. I’ve got some spare time.
Received a report back from the
@metpoliceuk
of a complaint I made. I’ll save you the time TLDR - No actions or learnings. Jesus wept. How’s the reform going lads?
Tonight I feel powerless and unable to use my voice. Standing up in the face of trauma is exhausting and never ending. Tonight I rely on others to keep holding those accountable so that I can hopefully pick up again tomorrow.
Going to court is the most traumatic things you can go through in your life. And that is after something that has happened that is incredibly traumatic. Its not a safe system for victims and survivors.
My abuser’s trial was traumatising in itself. The tactics used by defence barristers feel very much like the victim is on trial and the way circumstances are twisted feels very parallel to gaslighting and emotional abuse. Not a safe process for victims at all.
@DrProudman
Ah the classic not reliable. I was also not a reliable witness according to the judge because she said “you waited 8 months to report the crime” the crime being a 3 year mentally and sexually abusive relationship.
Victims of sexual and domestic abuse don’t know what’s being said about them in court. We are advised to stay away at verdict and sentencing. How can we know what went on? Sign here to get victims their trial transcripts for free.
#DA
#SexualViolence
#SA
Right to Equality supports
@riverlightorg
’s work to hold the courts to provide unbiased, accountable, and transparent justice.
Access to transcripts is vital for this effort. We have partnered with Riverlight on our forthcoming judicial bias campaign!
Please like, share and
After months of campaigning with
@OpenJustice4All
I’m pleased to see that the CPS have updated their guidelines for victims to sit in and watch the rest of their own trial 💪🏼
Victims of crime can sit in & watch the rest of the trial after giving evidence
Updated CPS guidance tackles the widespread misconception that victims aren't allowed to watch, or could jeopardise the case.
Important update after
@LDNVictimsComm
campaign
Packing my flat to move to a beautiful new house (once it’s been renovated) and it’s a real mix of terror of leaving somewhere I’m comfortable and excitement of the new place and knowing my abuser won’t know where I live 👸🏼
The Gov has agreed a spineless pilot for victims of rape to have sentencing transcripts FOC. In the last 4 mnths in 2024, that means only 298 ppl are eligible for the pilot. What about the thousands of other victims that want theirs? Low conviction
@AlexChalkChelt
@ShabanaMahmood
Iemand die naar de Olympische spelen gaat en zijn land vertegenwoordigd hoort een rol model te zijn. Niet iemand die is veroordeeld voor verkrachting. Opnieuw staan vrouwen weer onder aan de belangen.
Steven van de Velde staat voor zijn debuut op de Olympische Spelen. Met name in het buitenland reden om het verleden van de 29-jarige beachvolleyballer weer op te rakelen. Van de Velde voelt zich gesterkt door de steun van de Nevobo en NOC*NSF.
A rare coercive control conviction. There is a 3.6% charge rate for CCB and 0.01% of offences recorded result in conviction:
David Barrett pleaded guilty to coercive control and two counts of intentional strangulation at Peterborough Crown Court.
Affirmative consent could be an active changer in SA & rape. It is so important to receive a clear and enthusiastic communication of willingness to engage in sexual activity, rather than simply the absence of a “no.” Find out more:
@Right2Equality
We as a society haven't quite figured out that rape victims keep the rest of us safer, by reporting and trying so hard to get their rapists off the streets.
The criminal justice system keeps treating them as if they were a cumbersome inconvenience.
I had to pay for a copy of the court transcript in my criminal case. I was advised not to be in court for all of the hearing. I was quite staggered to read what the
@CPSUK
said on my behalf, including their failure to apply for full special measures for me.
£5 can help us continue to run our Open Justice Campaign. Our fight to help victims understand the process better, hold those in charge accountable and continue to push for free court transcripts.
#OpenJusticeForAll
@OpenJustice4All
#donate
#Justice
Today I received the response to my lengthy appeal against the
@metpoliceuk
for my original complaint. The Met said there were no learnings, and everything was as it should.
@MOPACLdn
's 28 page report paints a different picture. I am CRYING with relief that they believe me
That means that the team think there is nothing to change or improve on from what happened to me.
@DameLynneOwens
I believed and trusted you when you said you wanted to make a change.
And yet here we are with the Met ringing me with no warning today asking me to explain details of rape over the phone to a man I’ve never met in 20 minutes. He wanted dates, times, positions and locations. I was not prepared.
Reporting rape is probably one of the most traumatic things a victim can do. There’s also more chance their complaint will be dropped than result in a charge. So why people suggest they report to gain personal advantage is beyond me.
It is incredible that
@jadeblueLDN
has managed to hold the CPS accountable for their mistakes. It’s rare that the CJS admits mistakes and fault. I am hopeful changes will be made. Unfortunately this won’t bring her rapist to justice. But I am positive it will help the next victim
I am thrilled to share that I’ve achieved a landmark victory by successfully suing the Crown Prosecution Service for breaching my human rights by failing to prosecute my rapist.
Each year victims are shut out of the justice system, unable to pay for court transcripts to understand what happened in our trials. We are fighting for
#OpenJustice
. Help through small donations at
#GoFundMe
to help us launch a website for the campaign.
Just because someone is your partner, spouse and boy/girlfriend doesn’t mean they can do with your body as they wish. There is still consent in relationships. Every. Single. Time.
Many men are under the impression that sexual assault is something rare and happens in dark corners and alleys when women are alone. In reality, most women are assaulted by someone they know.
I'm getting married in 4 days! I never thought I would be able to find someone so loving and caring after years of abuse. I am so grateful for my husband to be 🥰
BREAKING: A firearms officer from the Metropolitan Police has been arrested on suspicion of rape and other offences, the force has said in a statement.
Latest UK news 🔗
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
I’m trying to fill out my appeal to the Met after they found no learnings in my complaint and included some lies from their side. But safe to say. I’m fucking Knackered and I’m not sure why I am doing it sometimes. They will probably not care or do anything about it.
While the focus of Family courts is often on children, listen to this experience of family courts without children. Safety measures not put in place, bumping into perpetrators and no accountability taken.
#FamilyCourts
Why the government can’t see the amendment should have been passed is beyond me. Victims deserve to understand what was said in my trial. Together we rise again. Thank you for your support
@DrProudman
I spoke with Kath Melandri on BBC Radio London this morning on the government’s recent decision not to support the
@OpenJustice4All
campaign to make court transcripts freely available for survivors of sexual abuse and rape. Why should rape survivors have to pay £20,000 to read
Today I received the response from the Met that they will follow MOPACs recommendations and reinvestigate all points. Also they have apologized for the first time ever. I shouldn’t be so surprised. But I can’t believe it.
A week ago today
@MOPACLdn
upheld my complaint against the
@metpoliceuk
. One week later I still cant believe it. Looking forward to that response and apology from the team
@DameLynneOwens
I had panic attacks last night and even though I rested today. The panic attacks are back tonight. The abuse might be over, but the panic never leaves.
#DA
#SA
#SV
Having the ability to love yourself after years of abuse is so incredibly hard and difficult. Showing yourself and giving yourself compassion is something I’ll be chasing for a long time.
Can’t stand the feeling of my body tonight. Can’t stand anything touching it tonight. ED thoughts shouting loud. Always a sign that I’m struggling if these pop up. It’s been a tough few weeks.
#recovery
is a bumpy road.
To see that after years of the Met saying they are making change, there is still no change is no surprise. Recent interactions with the professional standards unit reflects this. They continue to cover up and gaslight victims. They need to listen and change. Victims come first
Our latest inspection of
@metpoliceuk
has been published today.
We found that the force has improved its response to the public. But there are serious concerns around how it investigates crime and manages offenders and suspects.
Read more🔽
There was no 'extra room' available, let alone the technology to set up a link. If i wanted to watch, i'd have to sit next to his sister. We need transcripts accessible for all, at no costs.
@OpenJustice4All
Disappointing the Minister is misinformed about the current state of our courts and transcripts. Going to court to listen to a recording is not on offer, wholly impractical and usually denied, as in
@David_Challen
's case. This isn't a "right" for victims
#OpenJusticeForAll
🧵
Thank you. We need
#OpenJusticeForAll
. For all victims to be able to move on and hold those in power to account. We need all parties to come together and push the amendment through.
2/ Justice should not have a price tag, and I am so honoured to stand side-by-side with victims such as Lily, Rosie,
@juterlizzi
,
@charlottschreu
and the whole
@OpenJustice4All
campaign in calling for action to be taken on the cost of court transcripts.
Charlotte Hawkins, "What would make the biggest difference to how police handle rape investigations"
Juliana Terlizzi, "Proper training.. Half of investigators haven't completed their training.. It's insane.. Also the police need to listen to the complaints come forward and take
Myself, like many other victims of abuse will be dreading new year “celebrations”. Not only another day where there is more risk to abuse with more alcohol around. But also memories from previous NYs and the marking the end of a year & a looming year ahead. Look after each other
Along side incredible women I spoke to
@MediaStormPod
about
@OpenJustice4All
. They uncovered the millions of £ profit that companies appointed by the gov are making of victims court transcripts. While the gov tell us they can’t afford free transcripts.