ONEVOICE NEVER SILENCED
THE HOME FOR ALL BE YOU MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD. WE ARE HERE TO COCOON, SERVE & PROTECT
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO HOME OFFICE
The Protection Of Victims Act 2014 - Eve's Law
We welcome today's announcement by the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Teresa May MP, that the Government acknowledge that there are such serious problems with the disclosure of the confidential details of victims by the courts and other organisations, in a variety of different situations, that Government action must now be taken.
This acknowledgement follows our campaign, launched in the Autumn of 2013, to secure what we have termed 'Eves Law.'
We further welcome the Governments "commitment to put in place a new code of practice to ensure that safe addresses of victims of domestic and sexual abuse are protected."
The Home Secretary has today stated, "this will take effect where victims might otherwise have to reveal details of their addresses to people who could threaten them - for example in court cases unrelated to their abuse, or when required for their children's school records, or the family's access to benefits."
We would like to put on record our gratitude to Dan Jarvis MP, Shadow Minister for Justice, who has tirelessly championed our cause in Parliament and beyond. We cannot thank him enough for his work on behalf of victims of domestic violence.
Our gratitude also extends to the Rt Hon Damian Green MP, Minister of State for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims who has obviously listened carefully to our concerns, expressed both directly and via Mr Jarvis.
We would also like to thank the Police & Crime Commissioners from around the country for supporting The Protection Of Victims Act 2014 Eve's Law especially PCC Shaun Wright, South Yorkshire who is leading the Police Campaign.
However, this is not the end of the matter.
The evidence we have submitted to the Ministry of Justice, and now unequivocally accepted by the Government, clearly demonstrates that victims have been and continue to be put at risk of serious harm. Indeed the evidence we have collated shows beyond any doubt that victims have and will continue to be harmed unless and until the problem we have highlighted is put to an end.
A new code of practice, of the sort we suggested to the Ministry Of Justice, is a significant step in the right direction. It cannot be overstated how important such a code is to the protection of victims, but such a code must in our opinion impose mandatory obligations to regulate the practice of those subject to it, with real sanctions for breaches.
A voluntary code not supported by the force of primary legislation has no teeth and, although well meaning in its aims, will ultimately fail to protect victims. Why wait, we ask, for the inevitable failure of a voluntary code? Once the problem has been accepted - which it now has - the next logical step is to prevent future difficulties with the full weight of the law.
We are reassured in our position by the continuing support of Mr Jarvis and over 80 Members of Parliament, from all sides of the House of Commons, who have signed Early Day Motion 900, calling for the immediate introduction of Eve's Law. This is in addition to the significant front bench support we have from The Labour Party, the Shadow Home Secretary and the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice/Lord Chancellor.
This coming week Parliament continues it's scrutiny of the Criminal Justice and Court Bill. This presents a perfect opportunity for a suitable amendment to introduce Eve's Law to give the Governments code of conduct the legislative support it requires.
May we also take this opportunity to welcome the roll out of Clare's Law by the Government, another significant step in the right direction. Our residual hope is that the Police handle negative disclosures with extreme care due to non reporting and that their over stretched resources can manage the additional pressure.
The time has now come for the Government to support the proposed Domestic Abuse Act, plus revisit and 'beef up', as we have also suggested, the Code of Practise for victims and Crime without further delay.
We all know the shocking statistics that are linked with domestic violence. It is perhaps suffice to say that a failure to implement much needed legislation - including Eve's Law - fails past and future victims.
Accordingly. and for the reasons stated, our campaign for Eve's Law will continue unabated.
David Malone, Red Lion Chambers
Eve Thomas, OneVoice Never Silenced
07.03.14 - 10.45 a.m.
ONEVOICE NEVER SILENCED RESPONSE TO ACPO'S "NATIONAL FOCUS ON DOMESTIC ABUSE WEEK"
I must admit to being somewhat frustrated by ACPO's "infocus on domestic abuse week" and the subsequent tweetathons.
This is a very valuable opportunity to lay cards on the table and really discuss domestic violence/abuse but instead I am seeing scripted tweets sent out by different forces with no honesty or transparency. I feel that this smokescreen/PR exercise is not sending out the correct message.
Since the launch of The Protection Of Victims Act and SAFE Campaigns I have been inundated with victims who have been badly let down by the CJS, the police in particular and there is very little regard across the country by the police pertaining to SAFE addresses. I feel that much work needs to be done and the police need to get this right before actively encouraging anymore silent victims to come forward.
Domestic violence is a murderous crime that kills two women every single week in just England and Wales alone and I am seeing time and time again victims failed by not only the police but by other agencies - victims need support and protection - it is vital!
Only recently we hear of victims let down by the police in the media, victims called a "f***ing bitch" a "slag" and then there is the police interview where a victim listened to police officers laughing and joking with her rapist and abuser throughout the taped interview. Tony Lloyd - Police and Crime Commissioner GMP also recently "demanded" an urgent review into a case, the list is endless.
Failure to investigate reports correctly, evidence not collected, SAFE addresses exposed and not recognised as an immediate risk and too often police officers fail to take proactive action to keep women, men and children safe from their abusers even after they have been assessed as "gold star" or "high risk."
ACPO is correct when it says that the police need to get back to basics. ALL domestic violence crimes should be investigated properly, evidence SHOULD be collected and the appropriate safety measures put in place to protect all victims and their children.
I have been told by many police officers that resources are the problem so ACPO why not tweet about this - transparency and honesty.
I have one question, a question that no one seems to be able to answer:
What is the percentage of domestic violence/abuse crimes referred to the CPS by police for every force?
Lets get back to basics, victims must come first.
Eve x
25.02.2014
I in no way condone the trolling of any accounts be they on Twitter or elsewhere. I have no knowledge of what has occurred on Twitter today. I also do not condone bullying in any form.
Today I have instigated a complaint with London Fire Brigade and asked the following questions:
1. Why was one of their officers aggressively and relentlessly attempting to get me to disclose publicly my ex husband's conviction - this could have put me and my girls in danger
2. Why was he stating that I have an order against me? Where did the officer get this information from?
I await their reply.
I sincerely hope now that this is investigated, as it should have been in the first place. Whoever is behind this needs help not covering for.
Eve x
18.02.2014
The Protection Of Victims Act 2014 - Eve's Law Police Campaign led by Police & Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright
It was drawn to our attention that an allegation was made that letters to Police & Crime Commissioners had been sent out with the ASSIST logo by myself, my name was used. This allegation is false and for clarification a copy of the email that was sent to all PCC's has been put on the Police Campaign webpage.
I can also confirm that the lead responsibility for The Protection Of Victims Act 2014 is now the Victim & Criminal Proceedings Policy department at the Ministry Of Justice.
Eve
NHS OPT OUT
Under the NHS Opt Out Scheme it is the PATIENTS responsibility to ensure their medical/personal records are kept safe and secure.
I will be filling out the form which can be found here and handing it to my GP first thing on Monday morning. My records hold information that is private & confidential - I don't want this invaded so I will be doing the following:
1. Advising my GP surgery I do NOT wish for my GP to share my information with ANYONE.
2. Advise my GP surgery that I do NOT wish for the HSCIC to share my records - they will need to input two different codes for this.
3. I will be asking for a letter to clarify MY notes have been amended to reflect both MY Opt Out choices - evidence in case of human/electronic error.
BEING PROACTIVE, BEING SAFE!!!!!
In view of the NHS being sold off I feel it is best to keep MY medical records/history safe as it cannot be guaranteed who will have access. I will be exercising MY right to keep MY records confidential.
Please share this statement with all you know and ensure that if you make the decision to opt out that you too follow the steps above to ensure protection.
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND PROTECTION!!!!!!
POLICE CAMPAIGN
EVE'S LAW-EVE'S MARKER
5.02.14
The Police Campaign for Eve's Law and Eve's Marker led by Shaun Wright Police and Crime Commissioner and Tracey Cheetham Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner South Yorkshire Police has been launched today and already we have support from Norfolk PCC Stephen Bett, we hope that every PCC will support.
http://www.southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/News-and-Events/News-Archive/2014/Police-and-Crime-Commissioner-calls-for-Eves-Law.aspx
http://www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk/news/pcc-backs-eves-law
Part of the campaign is to raise awareness to the Assist Database and the National Centre for Domestic Violence - a uniformed service is needed with ALL victims being referred to NCDV for anti molestation orders/injunctions and ALL employees of the Police should have knowledge of the Assist Database so that victims are not being exposed to risk and danger and this never happens again!
http://www.evethomas.co.uk/blog/2014/01/13/Assist-Database-NCDV-Police.aspx
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tracey Cheetham, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire Police - thank you Tracey from all at OneVoice Never Silenced and the legal eagles David Malone, Barrister and Sarah Day BA Hons and MPhil (Cantab)
If any PCC etc would like further information please do not hesitate to contact me.
