One of the lesser known UN conventions is the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of discrimination Against Women, or CEDAW. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has been criticised by the CEDAW commissioners and the UN Special Rapporteur for Violence against Women as a result of the Domestic Violence evidence requirements, and has been directed to reform LASPO (the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act) evidence regulations accordingly.

Those working with victims of all forms of Violence against women are currently preparing a report for the UN to demonstrate that the concessions made by the MoJ/Legal Aid Agency do not go far enough, and that victims of Violence are still being denied access to Justice.

To help with this report, the Working party, who are preparing the report, are desperately in need of your help. We need empirical evidence that victims of Violence are still unable to obtain the proof they need to qualify for legal aid.

We need hard evidence. We are asking for Lawyers working with women to help by filling in a short e-form and sending it to Cris McCurley at:

In addition to the form which you can download:

 

Here (for lawyers): Evidence-of-Violence-for-LASPO_Lawyers (1)

Here (For NGO’s):Evidence-of-Violence-for-LASPO_NGOs (1) 

 

We are asking you for any comments that you would like to contribute to the report.

This can make a difference. Please can you help with this important call for evidence.

Thank you from the Women’s Resource Centre.