The Human Rights Act is badly needed - and we have ample proof.
Read my article about Human Rights in the Journal
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Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has welcomed the decision of Stormont assembly members to start the legislative process to ban paying for sex. In the UK, selling or buying sex is not currently illegal. However, it is illegal to buy sex from someone who is controlled for another person’s gain; other illegal activities including loitering and soliciting for prostitution; kerb crawling; keeping a brothel and placing an advert for prostitution within the vicinity of a public telephone box. Northern Ireland has now started the process that paying for sex becomes illegal. Discussions went on until late continue reading Stormont decision welcomed by Northumbria Commissioner Correspondence sent by Commissioner Baird to Chris Grayling MP in relation to the new Anti-Social Behaviour Powers 20th October 2014
Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP Secretary of State Ministry of Justice 102 Petty France London SW1H 9AJ 20th October 2014
Dear Secretary of State, Anti-Social Behaviour Powers As today sees the launch of the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, I am taking this opportunity to raise concerns that I have in relation to this matter. The Government has introduced five new powers which have come in to effect today, which the Government believe will enable the police, local authorities continue reading New ASB powers need funding from Government. As alcohol-related NHS admissions hit almost 10 million in England, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has again called for action to be taken in stemming the consumption of alcohol. Already this year Mrs Baird, together with fellow north east Police and Crime Commissioners Ron Hogg from Durham and Cleveland’s Barry Coppinger, have written of their concerns over the direct link between cheap alcohol and crime and disorder. The three Commissioners had called on the Government to introduce minimum pricing. Research had shown that by doing this, alcohol related crimes would reduce by thousands each year leading to continue reading Action Needed To Tackle True Cost Of Alcohol. The comments of broadcaster Judy Finnigan in her debut on the TV programme ‘Loose Women’ in relation to a high profile rape case involving a footballer have been criticised by Vera Baird. The former Richard and Judy star was commenting on the case of footballer Ched Evans who was jailed for five years in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman. The player is preparing to be released from prison and the broadcaster was discussing if he should be allowed to rejoin his club. Ms Finnigan said he had served his time, the rape was not violent and his victim continue reading “Loose Women” TV Programme debate - Judy Finnigan Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird is encouraging people to support the TUC as it urges ‘Britain needs a pay rise’. This Saturday, 18 October, a march supporting the living wage takes place in London with other demonstrations also happening across the country. Vera Baird said: “I’m supporting the TUC’s principal of the demonstration which is quite simple – that as growth returns to the UK economy, everyone should get a fairer share in this recovery. “People are currently facing the biggest squeeze on their incomes since Victorian times and wages have fallen in real terms every year continue reading Britain Needs A Pay Rise - TUC Campaign Commissioner joins stars of the stage and screen in support of ending rape and sexual violence in Burma Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has joined forces with well-known names from the world of stage, comedy and music. She has joined Maureen Lipman, Dame Judi Dench, Jo Brand and Annie Lennox in support to end rape and sexual violence in Burma A new report by the Women’s League of Burma (WLB) ‘Same Impunity, Same Pattern’, highlights the continuing use of sexual violence against minority women by the Burmese military. Ethnic women and girls suffer horrific sexual abuse while continue reading Commissioner joins stars of the stage and screen in support of ending rape and sexual violence in Burma I recently read an article entitled “Skewed Priorities” https://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/news/latest-news/skewed-priorities on the Liberty Human Rights website. It was important that I addressed a number of the points they raised, below is my reply. I read with interest the article entitled “Skewed Priorities” by Liberty’s Emma Norton and felt that as Police & Crime Commissioner for Northumbria I had to respond to ensure all the facts were in the public domain and the importance of Northumbria Police launching an inquiry into “no criming” She writes that Northumbria Police ‘has had to announce’ that 11 rape allegations previously recorded as “no crimes” are going to be reinvestigated.’ How they have ‘had’ to do so is important. It is far from new that the police ‘no crime’ rapes, in questionable circumstances. It has been happening, nationwide, for many years, publicised by campaigners, usually relying on individual or client experience or disparity of figures between forces - and yet no force before has ‘had to announce’ a reinvestigation. continue reading My response to an article on Liberty website. |
VeraBaird
@CrestAdvisory Voluntary but we are asking MoJ for use as bail condition if their current contracts permit/change
VeraBaird
RT @Samsmethers: And too many women who don't need to be there too https://t.co/gP4us4gWaM
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Copyright © 2010-2015 Vera Baird QC - All Rights Reserved |
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Vera has been unanimously elected Chair of the Eaves/Poppy Project.
Vera is a member of the Fabian Society
Vera is a Member of the Justice Council
Respect is the UK membership organisation for work with domestic violence perpetrators, male victims and young people.
