I'm Watching You
A poignant message to all Dads (and Mums), regardless of the religious convictions, about how important their role is in a child's life.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Independence of Scottish Legal Complaints
As I mentioned in this earlier post before the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission became active in October 2008 there were some concerns about the independence of the new independent legal complaints system. In his post 'Culture of fear' grips Scottish Legal Complaints Commission as Justice Department witch-hunt threatens whistleblower staff over leaks to media earlier this month Peter Cherbi launches a scathing attack on the secrecy and a witch-hunt within the organisation.
Peter Cherbi of A Diary of Injustice in Scotland is a writer and commentator on legal and consumer issues, human rights, politics, and injustice in Scotland and his work helped change the law in 2006 to bring a measure of independent regulation to Scotland's legal profession intended to raise standards of service and deal better with client complaints. Peter says " Now the task is to bring fully independent regulation to the legal services industry and see that everyone in Scotland has unrestricted choice of access to justice & quality legal services."
No Joke
The BBC covers the story of a menace found guilty at North Sefton Magistrates' Court of two counts of breaching by-laws after skating in Southport town centre. This was no hoodie, Geoff Dornan is a 71 year old pensioner who told the court he took up skating seven years ago to keep fit. Mr Dornan says he asserts his right to skate harmlessly and he will appeal to the Crown Court.
On the face of it this is quite a funny story, but apart from the nuisance and possible danger to others what strikes me is Mr Dornan dogged determination to do what he wants without any thought to others and regardless of by laws. This attitude is very similar to a father recently who had decided he was entitled to a certain amount in a divorce settlement and despite having being told twice by a judge the court would rule very differently because the proposal took no account of the housing needs of the child the father's reasoning was he 'thought' he should get £x.
What a waste of Court time and resources Mr Dornan's case is when Courts are clearly struggling to deal with cases which seriously impact on families' lives and cuts in legal aid mean there are growing numbers who cannot afford legal representation. Mr Dornan can access justice to assert his right to skate, but the child of the father above is likely to loose their home because the mother feels pressurised into settling because she cannot afford to take the matter any further.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
DV Early Intervention
Another article from The Scotsman this time reporting NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has launched an early- intervention scheme to crack down on DV amid fears that middle-class women are failing to report abuse. Middle-class women often refused to seek help because of the stigma associated with the crime. Academics cited doctors, church ministers and sheriffs as some of the perpetrators of abuse.
FACT BOXRead more...
• REPORTED cases of domestic violence have increased markedly in Scotland, with recent figures showing a rise of almost 14 per cent in four years.
• In 2007-8, police recorded 49,655 incidents of domestic abuse, compared with 43,632 in 2004-5.
• Those most at risk of abuse are women aged 31 to 35, and it is estimated that one in five women in Scotland experiences domestic abuse at some stage.
• On average, Central Scotland Police receive 300 calls of domestic violence incidents every month. But campaigners say this is only the tip of the iceberg and many victims suffer in silence for many years.
• Research shows the average victim will have been subject to 35 incidents before they seek help. Charities are calling for more resources to tackle the issue so the early signs of abuse can be picked up at hospitals and clinics.
• In the UK as a whole, an average two women a week are killed by a male partner or former partner – this constitutes about one-third of all female homicide victims.
• Women's charities point out domestic abuse can affect any woman, regardless of her race, class, age, income or religion.
Restrictive Rape Laws
The Scotsman today reports a woman has called for a judge to be sacked after she gave evidence against a man who allegedly raped her. Ann Robertson was remanded by Roger Craik, QC, during the case against George Cummings at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this month after she fled the from the witness stand during cross examination about her previous relationships. There is to be an investigation by Scotland's most senior judge.
Scotland's rape laws are among the most restrictive in the world and Scotland has has one of the lowest conviction rates for rape in the world. From 922 allegations of rape made to police only 27 resulted in conviction during 2006/2007. Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini last year launched a review of the way rapes are prosecuted to improve conviction rates and the treatment of victims.
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