Child sexual abuse redress scheme to be established

A redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse will be launched in England, recognising the trauma victims have suffered, the government announced this week. To be set up on the back of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the scheme will acknowledge the institutional failures that allowed children to suffer at the […]

Supporting Separating Couples Consultation a ‘moment in time’

The “Supporting earlier resolution of private family law arrangements” consultation launched by the Government in May is “a moment in time” when the government are engaged in the discussion which won’t come round again warns Sir Andrew MacFarlane.  In his keynote speech addressing the Resolution Conference on Friday 19th May MacFarlane spoke to delegates of […]

Law Commission publishes proposals for reform of sexual offences prosecutions

Image of a woman putting her hand up to stop sexual violence

The Law Commission of England and Wales has officially published views sought on proposals to counter effects of rape myths in sexual offence trials.  Every year in England and Wales, around 128,000 adults – over 90% of them women – report to the Crime Survey of England and Wales that they are victims of rape […]

Judge orders victim to negotiate childcare directly with rapist ex-husband

Image of two people arguing in front of a child

A Judge from the family courts has been criticised for directing a rape victim to “directly arrange childcare with an ex-husband” who exposed her to domestic abuse and rape, as reported in the Independent. The judge also ruled that the man should be allowed to have “unsupervised contact” their son despite the ex-husband had “subjected […]

Disabled survivor of domestic abuse successfully challenges legal aid guidance

Legal aid

The Legal Aid Agency’s guidance on financial eligibility has been successfully challenged by a disabled women after securing permission from the High Court, as reported in the Gazette. After nearly running into a financial wall in a case against the police due to the manner the agency handled a backdated welfare benefit payment while determining […]

Care services in Wales set for ‘radical reform’

care

Care services across Wales are set for a “radical reform” led by children and young people in a move that could enable a “children first” approach to the care system. A declaration, developed jointly by care-experienced children and young people as well as ministers, has been signed off by First Minister Mark Drakeford. It outlines […]