WRC statement on new cross-Government violence against women strategy
Date: 25 November 2009
The Women's Resource Centre, along with the other members of the
End Violence Against Women coalition, welcome the new cross-Government
strategy on violence against women and girls, released today.
Read full press release...Beautiful Star - tribute album supports women's charities
Date: 23 November 2009
Wears the Trousers magazine(which highlights women in the music industry) has put together a
tribute album to the influential folk artist, Odetta Holmes. All the
profits from the album will be split between the
Fawcett Society and the Women's Resource Centre. It is now available for pre-order in advance of its release on 30 November 2009.
Read full press release...WRC statement on withdrawal of Campaigning Research Fund
Date: 17 November 2009
We are deeply disappointed by the Government’s decision to cancel the Campaigning Research programme. While
we understand the difficulty of balancing competing priorities during
the recession, we are deeply concerned about the impact this decision
will have on small, marginalised groups who already find it extremely
difficult to fund their vital activities.
Many of the awards
were to small equalities organisations. We know the work of some of the
organisations personally and these grants were going to fund vital work
that would have helped to address significant issues of discrimination
and inequality.
Read full press release...Women’s rights groups say government provisions not enough
Date: 12 November 2009
Today, the UK government announced a pilot scheme for women
experiencing domestic violence but who cannot access safe housing and
support due to their insecure immigration status.
The scheme
will provide funding for a woman with ‘no recourse to public funds’ in
a refuge for up to 40 days pending an application to remain in the UK
under the Domestic Violence Rule. The scheme will run for three months,
following which there will be a review as to its effectiveness.
Read full press release...UK Government fails to meet UN targets on discrimination against women
Date: 31 July 2009
Last July, the UK Government was assessed by the CEDAW Committee on
their track record on gender equality, and was found wanting. As a
result, the government is required to report to the Committee this
month; twelve months on rather than the standard four year reporting
cycle. However, on the last day of July, we have seen no signs of such a report. Meanwhile, there are still women in this country who are unable to
access a place of safety when escaping a violent relationship. These
women have no choice but to return to violent partners or become
destitute.
Read full press release...Helping voluntary organisations to safeguard children
Date: 5 June 2009
NSPCC and Children England have launched a new service aimed at protecting the eight million children taking part in voluntary activities. WRC is a delivery partner on this project.
Read full press release...United Nations supports call for government action on the ‘crisis in Rape Crisis’
Date: 1 August 2008
The United Nations has urged the government to do more to
meet the needs of women who have been raped or sexually assaulted. The
Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
has called on the government to increase and sustain its funding to
women’s organisations; assess the impact of commissioning on women’s
groups; protect women-only services; and increase services for victims
of violence against women.
Read full press release... No recourse, no safety - national day of action
Date: 17 April 2008
On 23 April 2008, leading women and human rights groups, front line organisations and charities will come together as part of a national day of action to expose a humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the UK that leaves hundreds of women trapped in a cycle of violence. The crisis is a result of the No Recourse requirement that prevents women with vulnerable immigration status from seeking protection from domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence.
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The Crisis in Rape Crisis - research launch
Date: 17 March 2008
New research, The Crisis in Rape Crisis, being launched on Tuesday 18 March, has found that Rape Crisis centres are spectacularly under-funded. The research, by the Women’s Resource Centre and Rape Crisis (England and Wales), found that Rape Crisis centres are currently facing a severe financial crisis. Nine centres have closed in the last five years, 69 per cent of centres identified their funding as unsustainable, and the constant and ongoing struggle to access funding is impacting heavily on centres’ ability to continue providing essential services to survivors of sexual violence.
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Women want access to women-only services following sexual assault
Date: January 2008
97% of women want the right to choose a women-only service following sexual assault but their access to women-only rape support services is being threatened.
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New briefing on how to get sexual violence on local agendas
Date: 19 November 2007
Rape Crisis (England and Wales), NAVCA and the Women’s Resource Centre have launched a new briefing today, calling on local infrastructure organisations to champion Rape Crisis Centres by ensuring sexual violence is on local government agendas.
Read full press release... Why women-only?
Date: 17 October 2007
A poll undertaken by the WRC shows that women overwhelmingly want women-only services in areas as diverse as health, counselling, when reporting crimes of domestic and sexual violence, gyms, employment and leadership training. But the misconception that women are now equal means that women-only services are seen as outdated and unnecessary. This is resulting in the closure of many women’s organisations that have historically provided safe and empowering women-only spaces and women-led services.
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