Domestic abuse news roundup: w/c 3rd April 2023

👮‍♂️ Anger as Kent Police list domestic abuse as a ‘non-emergency’

A Twitter user spotted a poster in Maidstone, that suggests sexual offences and domestic abuse were being down played by police. When a photo of the poster was uploaded to Twitter it sparked outrage. The poster listed a series of offences as ‘non emergency’ such as anti social behaviour, sexual assault, rape and domestic abuse. Kent police have not commented on whether the poster was put up by a member of the force.

In a statement Detective Chief Supt Emma Banks of Kent Police said they take rape and sexual assault “extremely seriously.” and to “call 999 if a crime is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger.”

Laura Bates of the Everyday Sexism Project in response to the original tweet said: “Whoever put this sign up outside a police station and didn’t even consider it problematic tells us everything about police culture and our collective indifference to sexual violence. Little wonder that just 1.4% of rape cases reported to police result in a charge or summons.”

💻 Traveller Movement Launches Women’s Website

The Traveller Movement charity that helps and supports Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Women with domestic abuse, social services and shaming or discrimination have launched their women’s website.

The information is easy to access, the site very user friendly and an excellent resource, which includes an interactive map with ‘traveller-friendly’ support services throughout the UK. Other information includes:

• What the law says
• Advice if worried about Social Services
• Community Corner
• What is Domestic Abuse
• What the Church says
• Mental health support
• And information for service providers

You can visit the website here: women.travellermovement.org.uk

🧑‍🏫 Campaigners call for Relationships, Sex and Health Education not to be politicised

On the 22nd March 2023, 54 organisations and experts in violence against women and girls wrote an open letter to Gillian Keegan MP and Secretary of State for Education asking her to make sure the imminent review of RHSE guidance is tailored to what young people want and need.

This letter was written after a row from conservative backbench MPs claiming children have been exposed to inappropriate material in RHSE lessons. Miriam Cates a Tory MP claims children have been taught lessons that were “ age inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate.”

In response the Prime Minister asked the Department of Education to “ensure schools are not teaching inappropriate or contested content in RHSE lessons.” He confirmed a review will be brought forward to look into RHSE lesson guidance for schools. The Teaching Unions responded by saying claims were “inflammatory and politically motivated.” Teachers feel “time, resources and school prioritisation presented major barriers to effective delivery.”

Led by End Violence Against Women with over 50 other signatories, their letter argues schools are vital in tackling abuse but that schools are being left to deal with the harms caused by misogynistic influencers and tech companies, emphasising it’s critical that the VAWG sector plays a central role in RHSE delivery.

TAKE ACTION:

👀 read the joint letter sent to Gillian Keegan MP and we also recommend this Guardian opinion piece about how vital sex education is for young people and the danger of politicising it.

Your weekly domestic abuse news round up was curated by SATEDA’s volunteer Ellie Arnott 

Sources: End Violence Against Women Coalition, Laura Bates, The Traveller Movement, The Guardian, Kent Online