I'm not sure if this is the right place and you've been tagged in the thread where I originally suggested it but thought I'd put it here too. My original post is in italics and bold.
I wonder if we could get MNHQ to do a webchat with a QC about women's rights concerning arrests/cautions/vexatious complaints, etc - basically any interactions with the police.
The QC could provide a detailed checklist on what to do when faced with a police officer at the door; an officer determined to gain entry; an officer casually referencing sectioning, etc because threads on here show that some posters seem to think random Googles are the same as understanding the law and their rights. It isn't.
Also, is it possible to have a group litigation order against the police? Women need to mobilise collectively around these particular issues with the police.
Women are regularly dismissed when the try to report VAWG, stalking and harassment. The End Violence Against Women Campaign has called for action regarding the wider culture in the police that fails women and enables perpetrators. Women are often dismissed and sent away.
Women are also being disproportionately targeted under Hate Incidents legislation.
Yy there are general rights that all people have when approached by the police or approaching the police. But there are also issues peculiar to women eg
- women are more likely to be care givers so there are issues around childcare (and police threatening mothers with SS involvement to 'watch' their DCs whilst they are at the station);
- there are issues around the weaponising of MH issues and vulnerabilities (threatening with sectioning but not providing appropriate medical supervision or assessment)
- there are issues around searching (both of houses and persons)- taking into account sex, periods, religious beliefs, etc
- there are issues around how to act if you believe the original complaint has been made maliciously
- there are issues around how to get a complaint regarding VAWG taken seriously
I think it would be very beneficial for MNHQ to provide a reliable source of information to ensure women are aware of their rights. I also think a webchat would raise the profile of the issues that women face and how disproportionately the laws are currently applied depending on your sex.
Yy there is lots of information in different places on the web but it would be good to have the information in one place, and for up-to-date advice in light of the changing legal landscape. TIA