Public Trial - the rape of justice: Whose guilty?

Plans are moving ahead for the Public Trial - The rape of justice: Who's guilty? We invite you to participate on 16 February. Please help circulate the email below. Your ideas and any other offers of help (including fundraising) will be greatly appreciated . Some of our recent comments to the media can be viewed at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7116336.stm and on YouTube - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DFH3bnCUtI0 you’ll see a clip from News 24. Keep an eye on www.womenagainstrape.net for more news and a poster to print off.

Women Against Rape 30th anniversary Summons to a Public Trial The rape of justice: Who’s guilty? 16 February 2008 2-5 pm Doors open at 1.30

Three decades ago, when it was still legal for a man to rape his wife, Women Against Rape, just formed, announced a rape trial with a difference: women were putting the government and its criminal justice system on trial for condoning and even encouraging rape. Most people now support women’s right to say NO under any circumstance and at any point, and to get justice when that NO is ignored. Yet, the conviction rate for recorded rape is down to 5.7%. So once again we are putting the authorities on trial for persistently “letting rapists off the hook,” which denies women and girls justice and makes us all vulnerable. Those in charge of justice still often hold women responsible for rape and sexual assault. It used to be short skirts and hitch-hiking that were to blame. Now it’s having too much to drink or having more than one partner or, as always, trusting the wrong man. The truth is that just being a woman – or a girl – in the wrong place at the wrong time is often enough to condemn us to rape. But we have fought back. Increasingly women have reported rape and sexual assault, even when it was frightening, embarrassing and dangerous to do so, and even when the police didn’t want to know. We reported rape not only by strangers but by dates, husbands, partners, fathers, step-fathers, uncles, brothers, babysitters, employers, immigration officers, teachers, lecturers, carers, police, soldiers . . . And we have fought to defend our children even more than ourselves. For 30 years, with little or no funding, Women Against Rape has been backing women and spearheading their demands for justice, by: Speaking out against the authorities which don’t investigate, lose the evidence, misrepresent us, attack our character and conduct, accuse us of lying, put us on trial and even in prison. Invading courts and private clubs where some of the most sexist judges hang out. Pressing for changes in the law, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts, the compensation system, and demanding that police or prosecutors who won’t do their jobs against rapists must be sacked. Winning legislation which recognises rape in marriage as a crime, and sets at least some (though not enough) limits on raising women’s sexual history in court. Fighting for rape survivors not to be detained, left destitute, or have our children torn from us, and to be granted the right to asylum. Winning a private prosecution against a serial rapist after the CPS refused to prosecute – a test case that exposed the CPS. Forcing the police and CPS to arrest and prosecute the white attacker of a Black Muslim mother; he was found guilty – another test case that exposed police inaction. Winning compensation for many rape victims after they had been turned down. BUT MOST RAPISTS STILL GET AWAY WITH IT! What is the point of recommendations, complaints and appeals procedures, specialist police, prosecutors and judges, inspectorates, women in government, and more laws if those in charge of implementing them refuse over and over to do their job? WE WANT THOSE IN CHARGE OF JUSTICE TO BE HELD TO ACCOUNT! Have your say on 16 February 2008. Testify about your experience of dealing with sexual, domestic and other violence, what you did to try to get protection and justice and what response you got from each of the authorities. Male survivors of sexual violence are also welcome. We will have dark glasses, masks and screens for anyone who wants to disguise their identity.

Venue: Trinity United Reformed Church Buck St, Camden, London NW1 8NJ 1 min Camden Tube; Accessible entrance, accessible toilet nearby; Please book crèche in advance

GIVE EVIDENCE! BE THE JURY! FILL THE PUBLIC GALLERY! M AK E SURE OUR VOICE FOR JUSTICE PREVAILS! ALL WELCOME! SPREAD THE WORD! www.womenagainstrape.net war@womenagainstrape.net Tel. 020 7482 2496 voice & minicom