The CHR provided its consultancy service to non-governmental organisation, the Centre for Women’s Justice, contributing to its report “Double Standard: Ending the unjust criminalisation of victims of violence against women.”
Researchers:
- Dr. Alice Storey
- Dr. Sarah Cooper
- Melisa Oleschuk (Research Assistant)
- Georgia Cartwright (Research Assistant)
Consultancy Background
The CHR provided its consultancy service to non-governmental organisation, the Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ), contributing to its report “Double Standard: Ending the unjust criminalisation of victims of violence against women.” We conducted a case analysis regarding the use of the duress defence by women who commit criminal offences because of the domestic abuse they are suffering/have suffered.
Alongside two BCU student research assistants, we provided our analysis, findings, and recommendations to the CWJ. Our two key findings were:
(1) the defence of duress is wholly unsuitable in this context and legislative reform is needed,
(2) key actors in the criminal justice system urgently require training on the complexities of domestic abuse and intersectionality.
Our case analysis has been published in full and also fed into their discussion/recommendations in the CWJ’s “Double Standard” report.
Launch of the Report – March 2022
The CWJ also invited Dr. Storey to sit on the expert panel of the report launch, which took place on 29th March 2022. Over 100 people attended, including current and former MPs across all parties in England and Wales, peers of the House of Lords, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, the Victims Commissioner, lawyers, non-governmental organisations, police, and healthcare representatives. Alongside her fellow panellists, Dr. Storey shared our findings and recommendations which were very well-received by the audience and will be included in the follow-up discussions with government by the CWJ.
The government will now consider our proposals and the CWJ will be lobbying for the reforms suggested to be put into action.