Ministers press on with controversial abortion changes

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Abortion Contraception, England, Government, Wales

The Government is pressing ahead with changes which could see women considering abortion given the right to independent counselling – despite publicly backing down last year, amid bitter infighting within the Coalition.

The Department of Health (DoH) has drawn up plans to radically reform the assistance given to thousands of women with crisis pregnancies.

Among them is a proposal to place abortion providers under a legal obligation to offer women access to independent counselling, stripping them from providing any “in-house” service.

Critics of the existing system say the counselling which is offered by the clinics is biased, because their funding from the state depends on the number of terminations they carry out.

The services deny bias – and say that sending women elsewhere could delay the process, meaning that for some a decision to end a pregnancy could come too late.

Last September, attempts to introduce such a change in Parliament failed, amid clashes between pro-choice and pro-life campaigners and within the Coalition.
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The Government had indicated support for the amendment, tabled by Nadine Dorries, a backbench Conservative MP, but days before the vote, Downing Street said David Cameron said he would not back it.

The Liberal Democrats took credit for the apparent change of stance, with party sources saying Nick Clegg, their leader, had “made plain” his opposition.

However, since then, Anne Milton, the health minister, has been working with DoH civil servants behind the scenes on plans to dramatically alter the system.

Draft proposals will set out three options.

The most radical change would see abortion clinics, such as those run by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) and Marie Stopes International, barred from providing counselling, and under a legal duty to refer women seeking it to an independent service – as had been laid out in Mrs Dorries’ amendment.

An second option is for a system of “voluntary registration”. This would would mean any organisation offering counselling to women with a crisis pregnancy would have to meet minimum standards, and only use appropriately-trained counsellors.

A cross-party group of 10 MPs which has held secret talks over the proposals has become deeply divided about whether organisations running such services should be required to declare any ethical stance – such as holding pro-life beliefs.

If that demand is made, some pro-life campaigners are likely to argue that abortion clinics would have to declare a financial interest in carrying out terminations.

A third option, to retain the current, is also detailed in the DoH policy paper, despite acknowledgement that it would mean a “postcode lottery” remained in the standard of care.

Ministers are braced for fierce debate over the proposals, which are due to form a Department of Health consultation, likely to begin next month.

Article continues at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9030070/Ministers-press-on-with-controversial-abortion-changes.html

See also: Diane Abbott quits MPs’ abortion counselling group

Diane Abbott Diane Abbott said she had joined the cross-party group in “good faith” .. has resigned from the cross-party group on counselling given to pregnant women by abortion providers, dismissing it as a “front” for those who want it outlawed.

Labour MP Diane Abbott said she had “no doubt” the government wanted to bring about such a change.

But Tory MP Nadine Dorries, who is in favour of altering the law, said Ms Abbott’s comments were “nonsense”.

Health Minister Anne Milton said she was “disappointed” at Ms Abbott’s move.

The cross-party group of 10 MPs, including Ms Milton, was set up after the Commons voted last September against proposals by Ms Dorries that would have stopped abortion providers offering counselling to pregnant women.

The government said at the time that it would look at ways of incorporating the “spirit” of the proposals in new regulations – and a consultation is due to be launched.

Articles continues at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16743820

Abolishing social fund will hit women and children hardest

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Children Parenting, Cuts Welfare, England, Equality, Financial, Opinion Comment

Those relying on social fund grant say welfare changes will push most vulnerable sections of society into hardship and poverty

This week, the House of Lords again debated the welfare reform bill. Among other changes, the bill proposes to abolish the discretionary social fund – which provides grants and zero-interest loans to help vulnerable people with essential outlays (such as beds, cots or cookers) or deal with sudden costs incurred in a crisis, such as family breakdown – and transfers some of the funding to local authorities, which will be entitled, but not obliged, to operate their own schemes.

Critics argue that cash-strapped local authorities will not choose to spend these reduced funds on replacement schemes – they have unprecedented pressures on their budgets and no town hall will want to make itself a particularly attractive target to the poor.

Labour peers are expected to call for the cash to be ringfenced so local authorities are required to spend it on a replacement scheme.

In May 2011, Steve Webb, a minister in the Department for Work and Pensions said: “The social fund is not being devolved to local councils. The welfare reform bill includes proposals to abolish the discretionary social fund. It will be replaced with a combination of locally designed and targeted assistance for the most vulnerable people in the community and a modernised and simplified national system of payments on account accessed through the benefit system.”

A spokesperson said: “We’re reforming the social fund because it is too complex and poorly targeted. Local authorities are best placed to deliver this support and will ensure that it goes to those most in need. People will now benefit from local knowledge and wider support services.”

Guardian welfare reform blog asked readers for their experiences of the social fund. Most asked that their names not be used. Here are a selection of their responses. – go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/22/social-fund-welfare-reforms

See also:
* Peers reject ‘unjust ’ £26,000 cap on state benefits
* Government heavily defeated over Child Support Agency
* The welfare reform bill will erode women’s financial independence
* Legal Aid (Women and Families) – Westminster Hall Debate
* Letter from more than 50 former Lib Dem parliamentary candidates urges party leader to respect party policy on benefits
* Government seeks to overturn Lords welfare defeats

Closure of Naomi House – addiction treatment home for mums with babies in Bristol

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Alcohol Drugs, Benefit, Children Parenting, Cuts Welfare, Funding, Health, South West

We are sad to announce the closure of Naomi House, our addiction treatment home for mums with babies. This decision is due to a lack of available funding and is no reflection on the high quality of the service that Naomi House has provided for many families.

One25 launched Naomi House three years ago on 19 January 2009, as the only mother and baby drug treatment service in England for women escaping sex-work and just one of two for mums with addictions. In this time, eighteen vulnerable mothers received the help they desperately needed to transform their lives away from the streets and give their children a better start. These women battled courageously to put their low self-esteem, abusive relationships and trauma behind them for the sake of their family’s future.

A former resident, Carla, sums up Naomi House as: “A wonderful chance to have a life, my son and a future with all my children. No more misery – just the beginning.” (For more of our residents stories see recent Telegraph and Guardian articles)

One25 will continue to support residents until the end of their treatment in February. Then, as with all former residents, we will support each family to access community services such as mums and tots groups, addiction recovery sessions and our own new life skills centre, to ensure that they can continue to build upon their progress.

Despite this blow, our commitment to helping vulnerable women and their families to fulfil their potential is unchanged. We are starting to refocus on our other services and how we can help more women in their journey to recovery and beyond. This month, we are proud to announce our new life skills programme which offers women training in areas of their choice – nutritious cooking, healthy relationships, literacy, CV writing and much more.

One woman on the catering scheme said: “It’s really good to have something that I value. Thanks for taking me seriously.”

So more than ever we need your support to enable women to permanently break free from the streets, reunite with family members and achieve their full potential. A donation to One25 can help us to sustain our support to the families leaving Naomi House and help over 300 more women each year in their steps towards an independent, fulfilled new life.

Those wishing to donate towards One25 can do so here http://one25.org.uk/get_involved/index.php?id=1or by sending a cheque to The Grosvenor Centre, 138a Grosvenor Road, St Pauls, Bristol. BS2 8YA

For further information on Naomi House or One25 please contact Josie Hill at josie@one25.org.uk or Gill Nowland at gill@one25.org.uk. Both can be contacted at 0117 909 8832.

Press Release at http://one25.org.uk/news/index.php?id=62

Opening of specialist rape unit in Cheshire aims to provide more victims with support

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Legal Police, North West, Rape and Sexual Assault

At least 80,000 women suffer rape or attempted rape every year in the UK, according to the British Crime Survey, while reported cases of male rape appear to be on the increase.

In Cheshire the opening of a police rape unit, that consists of a centralised team which works in partnership with specialist groups, is aiming to educate society about the reality of rape and how it affects more people than many may realise.

Detective Inspector Debbie Dodd is heading the unit, which opened three months ago. A police officer with more than 20 years of experience in Cheshire, she has been investigating rape for her entire service. She has seen first hand how issues surrounding the offence have evolved.

In the past sexual assaults in the county were dealt with by the local Criminal Investigation Department, but one of the major aims of the new unit is to make investigations more efficient and provide maximum support for victims. An integral part of its work is its partnership with the Sexual Assault Referral Centre at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, for medical treatment and holistic care.

There, victims can receive advice on sexual health and pregnancy and are given the choice of whether or not they want to involve the police, before being taken to the Rape And Sexual Assessment Support Centre (RASASC) in Warrington to speak to specialist advisers.

“This is about giving the victim the best service possible by having as few people involved as possible,” said DI Dodd. “In a lot of rape cases victims don’t necessarily want offenders being brought to justice. Having someone convicted after a process is important, but equally as important is that the victim feels they’re believed, that they’re treated with dignity and fairness and that they’ve got the support to deal with what they’re faced with.”

Central to the unit’s success is enabling victims to have the confidence to report attacks. Whether the allegations have happened recently, or are historical in nature, the unit is equipped to deal with all cases of reported rape and sexual assault. Despite this, under-reporting of attacks continues to be a problem.

“People don’t report attacks for many reasons, such as fear of being disbelieved or proof of consent,” said DI Dodd. “But people should be secure in the knowledge that they’re not alone. Society has this view of rape as being someone jumping out of the bushes but it’s not. Rape needs to be viewed differently than it is now. It can happen to anyone within every walk of life, in relationships, for example.”

Julie Evans, of RASASC, hopes Cheshire’s new rape unit will encourage more people to seek justice.

“It is a very positive thing for the county and I hope it will encourage more people to come forward and contact us,” she said. “RASASC offers access to independent sexual advisers and counselling. We have offices in Chester and Ellesmere Port or we are willing to travel if there are access difficulties. It is no good having a rape unit if there is no support from specially-trained officers so I see this as a very positive development.”

Contact the RASASC is on 01244 907 710.

Shortened version of report at http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2012/01/26/opening-of-specialist-rape-unit-in-cheshire-aims-to-provide-more-victims-with-support-55368-30196805/

** For Rape Crisis Helplines in other areas please see http://www.womeninlondon.org.uk/#rc

Require a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Every Town With a Population over 120,000 – e-petition

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Campaign, England, Government, Rape and Sexual Assault

We ask the Government to make it policy that in every town with a population over 120,000 there must be a multi-agency service for women, girls, boys and men who are victims of sexual assaults.

These are commonly known as SARCs – Sexual Assault Referral Centres.

You can sign the petition online at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/6794

New trustees required for Devon Rape Crisis Service ~ 24th February 2012

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Rape and Sexual Assault, South West, Vacancies, Women's Group

Devon Rape Crisis Service is looking for a voluntary trustee to join its board. Here’s a quick Q&A about the role, plus contact details

Devon Rape Crisis Service is a specialist support service for women and girls living in Devon who have experienced any form of sexual violence, recently or in the past. For more information on the service, go to the Devon Rape Crisis site.

What you need to know:

Q: What experience is required?
A: We are looking for women who have a commitment to feminism and have skills and experience in:
1 Funding applications/income generation
2 Experience of providing a similar service to DRCS
3 Communications and PR
4 Business Skills and entrepreneurship:

Q: How long will I be a Trustee?
A: Trustees initially serve a three year term

Q: How much will I be paid?
A: This is a voluntary position. Trustees are reimbursed expenses and these can include costs of transport to and from meetings and training.

Q: What time does it take?
A: The Board of Trustees meets monthly but Trustees also participate in away days and training events.

Q: When does it start?
A: New Trustees will take up their position in early 2012 with induction and support given on appointment to the role.

Q: How do I apply?
A: If you are interested in becoming a Trustee for DRCS, contact the chair of the board, Linda Regan by email on linda@devonrapecrisis.org.uk or ring 07740735081 and she can send you the application pack

Completed applications need to be sent via email to info@devonrapecrisis.org.uk and must be received by Friday, February 24, 2012.

Source: http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2012/01/26/new-trustees-required-for-devon-rape-crisis-service/

Recruitment of Chair for Tustees of the Albert Kennedy Trust by ~ 17th February 2012

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Lesbian Gay, London, Vacancies

The Albert Kennedy Trust supports young LGBT 16-25 year olds who are made homeless or living in a hostile environment. We aim to meet the individual needs of each young person and ensure we get them back on track in life. To do this we really do rely on your support!

We support several hundred young people every year who have experienced domestic violence or have been ejected from home just for being brave enough to come out as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans to their parents or care giver.

The Albert Kennedy Trust is looking for a new Chair of Trustees to help provide leadership and strategic direction to the Board of Trustees at this pivotal moment in our history. This exciting opportunity will appeal to someone who is a strategic thinker and who brings with them experience of leading an organisation through a period of change and growth. A good understanding of the financial and governance needs of a small charity are also important as is an affinity and understanding of AKTs aims and values.

Closing date: Noon on 17th February 2012
Interviews: Saturday 25th February 2012

For more details and to apply, please download the following information packs from http://www.akt.org.uk/about-us/vacancies.html

If you would like to speak to someone informally about the role, please contact Tim Sigsworth on 020 7831 6562.

Project Worker (Vulnerable Young Women) – Childrens Society ~ 5th February 2012

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Children Parenting, Legal Police, London, Vacancies, Women's Group

Project Worker
£21,909 – £24,958 pa + £3,277 Inner London Weighting
Based in Peckham (with travel to all London boroughs and occasional travel outside London)

The Children’s Society wants to create a society where children and young people are valued, respected and happy. We are committed to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, including children in care and young runaways. We give a voice to disabled children, help young refugees to rebuild their lives and provide relief for young carers. Through our campaigns and research, we seek to influence policy and perceptions so that young people have a better chance in life. Children are at the heart of what we do. That’s why we want to build a better childhood for every child.

This exciting new project sits under the Safe Choices Programme umbrella and aims to work with the most vulnerable young women who are leaving custody or leaving care. This partnership project brings together the expertise of The Children’s Society and nia to work in all London boroughs with young women leaving custody and 6 London boroughs per year with young women leaving care. This project is funded by the Big Lottery Youth in Focus programme until 2016.

The Children’s Society will employ one Project Worker to lead the work with young women in the boroughs south of the river Thames. The Project Worker is responsible for the development and delivery of all young women’s work, 1:1 and group work and will co-deliver group work with the Sessional Worker. You’ll also develop and deliver training to professionals. You’ll have significant experience of working with vulnerable young women leaving care and leaving custody. You’ll also have significant experience of young women involved in serious youth violence, including gangs and sexual violence and exploitation.

Due to the intensive support involved in this post, this is open to women only. This post is exempt under Section 7 (ii) d of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

As well as a strong commitment to your development, we offer a generous holiday entitlement, a contributory stakeholder pension, childcare vouchers and flexible working.

For an informal discussion regarding The Children’s Society posts please call Geraldine Boyles on 0207 358 2037.

To apply, please visit www.playyourpart.co.uk or call us on 0207 841 4559.

Closing date: 5th February 2012.
Interviews will take place after the week commencing 20th February 2012.

All recruitment documents are available in alternative formats. Please note CV’s will not be accepted. You should apply for the role as stated above.

Charity Registration No. 221124

We strive to be an equal opportunity employer

Check: http://www.playyourpart.co.uk/2383-project-worker-safe-choices—leaving-care–leaving-custody/JobDetails.aspx

Sessional Worker (Vulnerable Young Women) – Childrens Society ~ 5th February 2012

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Children Parenting, Legal Police, London, Vacancies, Women's Group

£12.04 – £13.71 per hour + £3,277 pro rata Inner London Weighting
Part-time post – equivalent of 7 hours per week variable
Based in Peckham (with travel to all London boroughs and occasional travel outside London)

The Children’s Society wants to create a society where children and young people are valued, respected and happy. We are committed to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, including children in care and young runaways. We give a voice to disabled children, help young refugees to rebuild their lives and provide relief for young carers. Through our campaigns and research, we seek to influence policy and perceptions so that young people have a better chance in life. Children are at the heart of what we do. That’s why we want to build a better childhood for every child.

This exciting new project sits under the Safe Choices Programme umbrella and aims to work with the most vulnerable young women who are leaving custody or leaving care. This partnership project brings together the expertise of The Children’s Society and nia to work in all London boroughs with young women leaving custody and 6 London boroughs per year with young women leaving care. This project is funded by the Big Lottery Youth in Focus programme until 2016.

The Children’s Society will employ one Project Worker to lead the work with young women in the boroughs south of the river Thames. You’ll co-deliver group work with the Project Worker and will also develop and deliver training to professionals. You’ll have significant experience of working with vulnerable young women leaving care and leaving custody. You’ll also have significant experience of young women involved in serious youth violence, including gangs and sexual violence and exploitation.

Due to the intensive support involved in this post, this is open to women only. This post is exempt under Section 7 (ii) d of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

As well as a strong commitment to your development, we offer a generous holiday entitlement, a contributory stakeholder pension, childcare vouchers and flexible working.

For an informal discussion regarding The Children’s Society posts please call Geraldine Boyles on 0207 358 2037.

To apply, please visit www.playyourpart.co.uk or call us on 0207 841 4559.

Closing date: 5th February 2012.
Interviews will take place after the week commencing 20th February 2012.

All recruitment documents are available in alternative formats. Please note CV’s will not be accepted. You should apply for the role as stated above.

Charity Registration No. 221124

We strive to be an equal opportunity employer

Check: http://www.playyourpart.co.uk/2384-sessional-project-worker—leaving-care–leaving-custody/JobDetails.aspx

Borders Rape Crisis seeks volunteers ~ 3rd February 2012

Posted on January 27, 2012
Filed Under Rape and Sexual Assault, Scotland, Vacancies, Women's Group

A sharp rise in the number of sexual assaults – including rape – against women in Peeblesshire has left a local charity at breaking point.

And now the Borders base of the Scottish Rape Crisis Centre is looking for more volunteers to help cope with additional demand.

Victims in Peeblesshire and the rest of the Borders have been able to talk confidentially to a support worker at the office-headquarters in Galashiels since it opened in the summer of 2010.

During the 18 months it has been open it has dealt with 77 cases.

And results of an annual report showed that Innerleithen and its surrounding area is one of the most common communities in the region where rape and assault cases have been identified.

The report also highlighted Galashiels, Hawick and Eyemouth as problem areas.

Dawn Osborne, Service Co-ordinator for the Borders branch, made an appeal for more volunteers at the end of last year.

She told the Peeblesshire News: “I had a good response and the meeting I had with those that were interested went well and I gave out 15 packs containing background information as well as information about the role of the support worker. Of the 15 given out, only four packs were returned.”

Feedback suggested that the appeal for good Samaritans came at the wrong time of year – just before Christmas when people were busy and also worried about the winter weather.

Dawn and the team are again looking for more helping hands – currently there is only one volunteer in Peeblesshire.

Dawn said: “Sometimes people in the area don’t want to be seen by people living in the same town as them. That’s understandable as we live in a rural area and tend to know each other well.

“That’s why some victims are prepared to come into the Galashiels centre because they like to get out of the area that they live in.

“The office is based in Gala but if volunteer support workers are from Peebles then they could work from there. We are very flexible as the volunteer is giving up their own time and we respect and are grateful for that.

“A volunteer listens, believes and supports the listener. Very often, whether it’s historical sexual abuse, or a recent abuse the victim feels that people wouldn’t believe them and society in general has a habit of blaming the victim.

“The fact that we believe, provides emotional and practical support and allows the woman or girl to talk about her experiences and how they can move on from them.”

Dawn is the service’s only paid full-time member of staff and essentially manages the project.

As the core of the organisation, she’s in charge of helping to deliver training and raise awareness about violence against women in the region.

She added: “If you’re going to become a volunteer then you’ll go through the recruitment process and sign an agreement.

“It would be great to have someone giving four hours per week over a two-year period but we are pretty flexible with that.

“We have support workers that work full-time and we try to match up to their work pattern.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer at the Borders Rape Crisis Centre can call 01896 661071 or email: info@sbrcc.org.uk for an application pack.

The deadline for the return of application packs is Friday, February 3.

Source: http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/roundup/articles/2012/01/20/422552-crisis-centre-facesa-crisis/

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