Latest news with #MaryLeHegarat
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Abuse victims on work permits get better support
People fleeing domestic abuse who are in Jersey on work permits will be offered more support as part of a shift in government policy. In what officials described as a "significant" change, survivors can now access emergency housing and 13 weeks of financial support. It is part of Jersey's wider action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, following a landmark report published last year. More than half of the 77 recommendations made in that report are now under way. Previously, some individuals on short-term permits were excluded from financial aid and housing options - a gap campaigners had long criticised as leaving victims trapped in unsafe situations. Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, said: "That change - guaranteeing 13 weeks' pay - is already making a significant difference." She added that 42 of the 77 action points are currently in progress, with legislative reform also high on the agenda. "We're determined to complete as many as possible by the end of the term," she said. "The legislative changes need to be ready for debate before the next election - that's a key priority." Early intervention and training The government is also rolling out wider training for frontline workers, aimed at identifying early signs of abuse and coercive control. This includes sessions for teachers, housing staff, veterinary professionals and social services - all sectors considered well-placed to spot warning signs. "The more people trained to spot the signs, the more chance we have to intervene before abuse escalates," said Le Hegarat. More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey Culture change must begin early, she added, highlighting a peer-led programme in schools where older students deliver sessions about healthy relationships to younger pupils. She also emphasised that sustainable funding is essential for victims to feel safe reporting abuse - and to ensure services remain in place. "This can't just be a time-limited project. Ongoing funding is essential so that victims feel safe to come forward - and know support will still be there," she said. While acknowledging that challenges remain, the government said the island's progress was "on track". Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to More on this story Progress 'being made on violence against women' 'Jersey's domestic abuse law is failing survivors' Related internet links States of Jersey
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Abuse victims on work permits in Jersey to get better support
People fleeing domestic abuse who are in Jersey on work permits will be offered more support as part of a shift in government what officials described as a "significant" change, survivors can now access emergency housing and 13 weeks of financial is part of Jersey's wider action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, following a landmark report published last year. More than half of the 77 recommendations made in that report are now under way. Previously, some individuals on short-term permits were excluded from financial aid and housing options - a gap campaigners had long criticised as leaving victims trapped in unsafe Mary Le Hegarat, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, said: "That change - guaranteeing 13 weeks' pay - is already making a significant difference." She added that 42 of the 77 action points are currently in progress, with legislative reform also high on the agenda."We're determined to complete as many as possible by the end of the term," she said."The legislative changes need to be ready for debate before the next election - that's a key priority." Early intervention and training The government is also rolling out wider training for frontline workers, aimed at identifying early signs of abuse and coercive includes sessions for teachers, housing staff, veterinary professionals and social services - all sectors considered well-placed to spot warning signs."The more people trained to spot the signs, the more chance we have to intervene before abuse escalates," said Le Hegarat. Culture change must begin early, she added, highlighting a peer-led programme in schools where older students deliver sessions about healthy relationships to younger also emphasised that sustainable funding is essential for victims to feel safe reporting abuse - and to ensure services remain in place."This can't just be a time-limited project. Ongoing funding is essential so that victims feel safe to come forward - and know support will still be there," she acknowledging that challenges remain, the government said the island's progress was "on track".
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Jersey firearms law to be updated to reduce risk to public safety
The government is planning changes to Jersey's firearms law, following recommendations from a review committee of constables and States of Jersey Richard Honeycombe, head of the review panel, said the changes were about "reducing risk" to public safety and ensuring all gun owners had "good reason" to hold changes are likely to be enacted using ministerial orders after the Justice and Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat previously postponed a complete review of the 25-year-old Hegarat told a scrutiny hearing the planned review was put on hold in 2024 to prioritise changes to legislation preventing violence against women and girls. What changes are planned? Applications for firearms and ammunition will become a separate processPreviously, 5,000 rounds of ammunition were automatically applied to a firearms licence. Honeycombe said there were people on the island who had not shot for years but had a considerable amount of ammunition stored at people will have to apply for both a firearms licence and an ammunition licence. These will be considered by the parish constable - who has the authority to grant firearms licences - and assessed on their own merits. Honeycombe said this should mean a "huge reduction" in the amount of ammunition on the island, but also help officials know much was actually being Hegarat said the change would "mitigate the risk of certificate holders having easy access to firearms and ammunition outside of a club environment".To contain ammunition to the club shooting environment, Le Hegarat said she planned to change the law so clubs could become registered firearms dealers, although only with the right to buy and sell ammunition, not import it. The cost of a firearms licence is to increase Honeycombe said it had been agreed with the minister the cost of a firearms licence would increase, as would the cost of varying an aspect of your firearms licence - such as adding or removing a gun. The number and type of guns an applicant can ask for will decreaseAt present, people applying for a firearms licence can have an authorised "wish list" where they request a variety of guns, of different types and approved, each applicant only has to notify the constable when they purchase a new firearm, instead of requiring Hegarat said there were currently examples of individuals who had the right to buy in excess of 25 different future, constables would be asked to make amendments to these types of licences to ensure each applicant genuinely had good reason to own each type of said the review committee was also considering making a request to have certain types of large calibre rifles, especially those that have been converted from a fully automatic, military grade firearm, added to the list of prohibited items. Honeycombe said he would like to see the changes introduced in added the review panel had more work to do and would be suggesting further legal amendments.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Sweeping changes to 'archaic' Jersey family laws urged
Jersey deputies are being urged not to have a "knee-jerk reaction" to updating the island's parenting Colley, a legal assistant in family law at Viberts, said a "wholesale review" of parenting laws was needed to remove "outdated" Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat proposed changing Jersey's parenting laws so children born out of wedlock were no longer considered "illegitimate".Several islanders considered illegitimate by law told the BBC they were unaware of the legal status. Ms Colley said a strategic review was needed to prevent further changes being introduced in the future and, if changes were made to the Legitimacy (Jersey) Law 1973, it would have to be "done carefully"."In practical terms I do not think that the change in the law will have any real impact on families," she said."However, the concept of an illegitimate child is very outdated and there does need to be a wholesale review of all the legislation that makes reference to this term."There are laws currently that even mean that if a child is born to a couple who are still married and the husband is not the biological father of the child, it is still the case that the child is his child until that child is illegitimised, for example. "This has probably been an outdated legal concept for decades and has never been reviewed by legislators."In the UK, the Family Reform Act 1987 removed all remaining legal distinctions between children born to married and unmarried parents. 'Modernise the laws' Ms Colley said there were also issues with children born to unmarried parents prior to the law change in 2016."The fathers of these children do not have parental responsibility for their child, even if they subsequently marry the child's mother," she said."This is why it is important not just to have a quick knee-jerk reaction to this issue and take time to properly modernise the laws relating to the island's children."The BBC spoke to many islanders about the proposal who were unaware of their legal status. 'Archaic concept' Dylan Rawlinson said it had not affected him but added the law was "a very archaic concept".Other islanders who did not want to be named said they had experienced some said people thought her surname was her father's, not her mother's, which she took at said their parent's had "a nightmare" when trying to change their surname "when they did eventually get married" - saying it "cost thousands".One mother said her children had "never once been referred to as illegitimate on anything or [by] anyone since they were born". Proposing the changes, Le Hegarat had said Jersey's law was "out of step with policy developments over the last few decades"."The option of abolishing the status of legitimacy is strongly preferable, as it is no longer reflective of modern family life," she said."Only children whose parents are married and in a mixed-sex relationship are currently provided with the status of being 'legitimate' at birth."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Progress 'being made on violence against women'
Jersey's government is making progress in tackling recommendations from the island's Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Taskforce, a report says. In 2023, the group made 77 recommendations to government after its research found "most women" in Jersey experienced some form of gender-based violence. The government's progress report has shown 27 of the recommendations were complete, 42 were in progress, six weare awaiting reporting and eight had not been started. Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Mary Le Hegarat, who launched the taskforce in 2022, said she was proud of the progress but added there was still "considerable work ahead". The taskforce undertook research with victims, children and young people, professional services and the general public in Jersey. Recommendations were made to the government and its key partners in categories including training, independent reviews and education. The government report showed completed recommendations included creating a dataset on harmful sexual behaviour and increasing a police presence in certain areas. Recommendations not started included developing an education programme for parents and a review of the domestic abuse law. In March 2024, the government committed to publishing annual updates on progress toward implementing all 77 recommendations. Deputy Le Hegarat said the first annual report shows the government has made "significant progress". She said: "I believe that we can be proud of the progress achieved so far. But there is considerable work ahead to achieve lasting change, and we remain committed to seeing through the implementation of all the recommendations. "The taskforce identified that VAWG in Jersey was 'a hidden problem', and that this lack of awareness, or lack of priority, was a fundamental aspect of the problem that needed to be addressed to effectively understand and address the issue." Le Hegarat added: "My hope is that this annual report, and those that follow it, will serve to ensure that the issue remains at the forefront of our minds." More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to March calls for end to violence against women and girls Jersey government accepts women violence report 'Shocking' report reveals violence against women Taskforce to tackle violence against women Government of Jersey - Violence against women and girls
