Latest news with #victimsupport
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Cousin of Concepta Leonard says ministers need to do more to protect abuse victims
The relative of a woman murdered in her own home has said executive ministers have not done enough to help victims of domestic abuse, following the murder of Vanessa Whyte and her children, James and Sara Rutledge on Leonard, 51, was killed at her home near Maguiresbridge in County Fermanagh in May was stabbed to death by Peadar Phair before he took his own cousin, Marcella Leonard told BBC News NI that the justice and health ministers have not done enough to better understand the needs of victims, since her cousins death. Speaking to Evening Extra, social worker Marcella Leonard asked "How do the agencies and our government respond appropriately to make sure that they can feel that everything is actually being done to try to prevent this from happening again?"Addressing the issue of what has changed since the death of her cousin, Mrs Leonard said "there is certainly a greater awareness of domestic violence being on the strategic agenda's, certainly councils are being very proactive around education, there has definitely been an improvement in raising awareness that this happens."However, Mrs Leonard added: "Do I genuinely believe that the justice ministers and health ministers have done everything that I would expect them to do in response to get a better understanding of the needs of victims? Very sadly, no." 'Absolute priority' "I don't believe that any other society, if they had the statistics that Northern Ireland are having at the moment, this would be an absolute priority."She added that "unfortunately here in Northern Ireland our politicians do not see that as a priority.""I know that they can come on the radio and talk about their strategic plans, but that is not filtering down to their investment in resources or services."Marcella Leonard is a qualified social worker with 35 years experience in child, adult, public safeguarding and protection. She has also carried out reviews of some government services. Mrs Leonard said she "had such concern over the lack of proactiveness of the justice department acting on a report I did in relation to a review of MARAC (multi-agency risk assessment conferences), that I directly asked to speak to the justice minister and that left me feeling worse about things, rather than reassuring me."BBC News NI has contacted the Department of Justice for a response. Mrs Leonard also called for greater availability of services to help victims. "It sits with them to set the strategic vision, but also to provide the investment into the services on the ground that make the practical difference, to be able to have 24 hour response, helplines and residential places for safety," she said. "If I think of my cousin I think of someone who would not have been perceived of someone who would've been at risk, we need to have a better sense of that it can happen within any age group, race, culture and creed."We have to recognise that this can happen to any person."Following the murders on Wednesday, the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and the Justice Minister Naomi Long issued issued a joint statement saying: "We are horrified and heartbroken to learn of the tragedy that has occurred in Maguiresbridge."We send our deepest sympathies to the families affected and to the wider community in County Fermanagh," they said."The shock of this terrible event is being felt by many people and we would urge those in need of support to reach out to services provided within the Health and Social Care system, and in the voluntary and community sector."
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Who is this man? Detectives issue appeal after woman in her 30s is sexually assaulted as she walks alone in London in early hours
Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after a woman in her 30s was allegedly sexually assaulted while walking alone in London. The victim is understood to have been followed by a man as she walked past Hammersmith tube station, located in west London, at around 3.40am on Sunday, May 18. The man, who is then said to have caught up with the woman, sexually assaulted her before running towards Hammersmith Broadway. He is described as white with dark hair and in his 20s. Approximately 5ft 8in to 6ft tall, the suspect was also wearing a black North Face jacket, black trousers and white trainers at the time of the alleged assault. Having reported the incident to police, an immediate investigation was launched, with the victim currently receiving specialist support. Using CCTV footage, officers were then able to track the man's movements ahead of the alleged attack. There, he was seen leaving the popular station before walking along King Street, located in the heart of the west London suburb, briefly walking past another pedestrian. Following the reported incident, he was then captured running along Park Road towards Browning Avenue before officers eventually lost sight of him as he headed in the direction of a residential area. Detective Superintendent Lucy O'Connor, who is leading the Metropolitan Police's investigation into the reported incident, said that the force are urgently 'asking the public to help' them find the man in question. DSI O'Connor added: 'Women and girls should be safe to walk the streets of London without being attacked. 'That is why we need to identify a man in connection with this incident and are now asking the public to help. 'If you were in the area on the morning of Sunday, 18 May or if you recognise the man in the footage, please contact us as soon as possible.' Those with relevant information have been asked to contact the Metropolitan Police by calling 101 with the reference 01/7513051/25 or message @MetCC on X.
Japan Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Sex-abuse priest's promotion draws attacks on Catholic Church
A French archbishop's decision to promote a priest who was sentenced to jail for raping a teenage boy has drawn new condemnation of the Roman Catholic Church for its record on sex abuse. Victim support groups and traditionalists have expressed outrage over the case of Dominique Spina, who was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old boy in 2006 and sentenced to five years in prison. The archbishop of Toulouse, Guy de Kerimel, set off the controversy in June when he named Spina as diocesan chancellor, putting him in charge of archives. The canonical code lays down that the chancellor must be "of honest reputation and above all suspicion." Kerimel said he had acted out of "mercy" in making the appointment and that he had "nothing to reproach" the priest for in an "administrative function." In a statement released Thursday in the face of mounting protests, Kerimel acknowledged the "incomprehension" and "questions" among Catholics but said again that without "mercy" Spina risked a "social death." "This is in no way about downplaying a crime" and the victim must be "recognized and helped," he insisted. Because of the sensitivity of the topic, Catholic leaders have been reluctant to speak publicly, but one bishop said, on condition of anonymity, that the appointment was "a great shame" for the Church. "A priest convicted of serious sexual acts cannot hold a position of responsibility again. We should be able to say that," the bishop added. In a joint statement, several groups of victims of sexual abuse in Catholic schools expressed their "deep indignation" and "anger" at the appointment. The Catholic media has also lambasted the appointment. La Croix, a Catholic daily newspaper, said that "the principle of mercy cannot be used as a hasty justification." The traditionalist website Riposte Catholique called the appointment "unjustifiable" and said the Vatican should intervene. "Compassion does not consist of rehabilitating a condemned man to a canonical position," commented the christian website Tribune Chretienne, known for its conservative line. France's Catholic Church is already reeling from several sexual scandals in schools it runs and accusations of longtime sexual abuse made against Abbe Pierre, once an icon of the defense of the poor who died in 2007. The Church has set up two commissions on acknowledging and compensating for the widespread abuses uncovered by an independent inquiry released in 2021.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- CTV News
Accused Windsor officer set to testify in sexual assault trial: Defence lawyer
An Ontario Superior Court of Justice building can be seen on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. (Michelle Maluske/CTV Windsor) WARNING: Content in this article may be disturbing to some readers. Reader's discretion is advised. Staff Sgt. Ken Price is scheduled to defend himself Thursday on four allegations of sexual assault against a former female auxiliary force member. The complainant in the case, who cannot be identified because of a standard publication ban, spent the last three days explaining what happened to her between 2011 and 2015. 'There was a progression in his behaviour,' the woman said Wednesday. 'He targeted me.' While she was a member of the auxiliary force, the woman alleges she had several 'negative interactions' with Price. They started with sexualized comments and advanced to inappropriate physical contact, she told the court. The woman said he would make 'unwarranted' comments 'out of nowhere' about the men she dated or the way she looked. It turned physical – the woman alleges – sometime in 2012 or 2013 during a training exercise when she volunteered as an 'actor'. 'I'm playing the wife,' the woman testified. 'I just remember him (Staff Sgt. Price) on top of me, dry humping me during the scenario.' In another incident she accuses Price of pressing his body against her back and 'sniffing' her hair. She told the court she responded by saying 'Stop! You are such a weirdo.' Another officer, who witnessed the alleged interaction, 'downplayed' what Price did, according to the woman, asking her to 'forgive him' because she 'reminds Price of his wife'. Defence lawyer Dan Scott accused the woman of 'misleading the court'. Scott said the woman never filed a formal complaint with the police force after the alleged assaults and inappropriate behaviour. The woman insists she told 'everyone' about the alleged sexual harassment and unwanted physical contact but 'the service did not come to help me out of the gate.' 'I have no faith in the Windsor Police Service,' the woman told the court. The woman filed a complaint to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), but court learned they couldn't investigate because she was an employee of the service at the time. The complaint however was sent to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) which ultimately laid charges against Price. Scott questioned why the woman made no note of potential witnesses to her alleged assaults at the time but mentioned officers by name to the SIU. 'You're making this up,' Scott suggested to her Wednesday. The woman was very emotional in her response. 'I don't want to be here. I don't want to sit here being judged by everyone,' the woman said. 'This is the pain behind my trauma.' The Assistant Crown Attorney will re-examine the woman's evidence Friday, before handing the case to the defence. Scott confirmed to CTV News his client will be testifying Friday.
NHK
09-07-2025
- NHK
Thai people fight to stop domestic violence
A group in Thailand helping domestic violence victims has drawn attention to the issue through its campaign that features an AI video of a young woman who was abused.
