Thursday, November 15, 2012

Women's Views on News

Women's Views on News

Sign petition for journalist – and justice

Posted: 14 Nov 2012 07:00 AM PST

US journalist investigating child abuse scandal in Jersey loses UK visa rights.

Leah McGrath Goodman is an American investigative journalist, author and former UK resident who was banned from the UK after launching an investigation into the alleged mass abuse, torture and possible murder of children on the island of Jersey – a British Crown Dependency and an offshore tax haven.

A petition has been set up asking for Goodman to be allowed a visa and to be able to continue her research.

Jersey made international headlines in 2008, after revelations about the Jersey orphanage Haut de la Garenne; nearly 200 victims alleged that the island’s government had turned a blind eye to horrific crimes against defenceless children for decades.

Evidence taken from the orphanage included the exhumed teeth, blood and bones of children.

Then, in short order, writes Trevor Pitman, Deputy of the States of Jersey, the island's chief of police was illegally suspended, the health minister was thrown out of his job and evidence of children's remains were irreversibly compromised.

It looked, said Pitman, like Jersey's government was scrambling to shut down the investigation at all costs.

And, he continues: ‘After succeeding in doing so, Jersey's government, to this day, squanders millions from the public purse to try to silence and discredit its critics and, most appallingly, shield the accused from being brought to justice…’

It seems, he writes, ’that a number of [those accused] remain in high-ranking positions working closely with the island's children – free to strike again.’

As the petition for Goodman to be given a visa and allowed to continue her research says:

‘Author and journalist Leah McGrath Goodman watched the investigation and digging at Haut de la Garenne from her U.S. home with interest.

‘As the national and international TV cameras turned away from the story, she remained interested and decided to write a book on the subject. She began making trips to Jersey to research allegations of cover-ups…

‘She set up a meeting with the Immigration Service and says it was all going well until she told them what she was writing about…’

And, it continues:

'Ms Goodman successfully conducted her research until 11 September 2011, when the UK Border Agency detained her at the request of the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service.

[Without] …any charges, Ms Goodman was fingerprinted, photographed and stripped of her passport, phone, wallet and possessions and held in the basement of Heathrow Airport for more than 12 hours – past the legal limit – without access to a lawyer or the US consulate.’

This, the petition points out ’was in violation of her human rights’.

‘She was then,’ it continues, ’sent home and banned from the UK for two years (reduced to one year with the help of Member of Parliament John Hemming).

‘She has been denied a new visa and right of appeal.

‘In order for Ms Goodman to finish her research safely, she must receive pre-entry clearance from the UK – clearance it has so far declined to give her.

And it concludes by asking that Ms Goodman’s Tier-1 UK visa be restored, so she might continue ‘her urgent investigative work‘.

Leah Goodman wrote about how exactly – how horribly – the UK Border Agency detained her on her blog, and The Guardian looks at the issue here.

It’s an obvious fact that Jersey is in need of a government that will work to protect our children and bring justice to victims of abuse, not oppress them.

But, the petition raises further issues.

As blogger TomPride asks: Why on earth has the Home Secretary, Theresa May, agreed to this bizarre and unprecedented exclusion of an independent journalist who previously had a UK Tier-1 visa?

Is it, he asks, because May is afraid an independent journalist from outside the UK media establishment might be more likely to shine a light on fellow senior Tory Party members' involvement in the growing child abuse scandal?

Coventry Uni students say NO to sexism

Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:05 AM PST

A new society has formed at Coventry Univeristy: the No To Sexism society.

The new society, which gained official approval this week, was formed by a group of students who have had enough of sexism on campus.

But before even gaining their official approval the group of students had already begun to cause a stir and make a difference.

The forming members banded together to protest a sickening stunt by a DJ at the Univeristy’s student union.

The DJ, known as ‘Phat Kev’, dressed as paedophile Jimmy Saville – complete with accompanying women dressed as school girls wearing signs around their necks saying ‘Jim fixed it for me’.

Lauren Bates, from the No To Sexism group told WVoN: “Many students were disgusted with this and some students from the society sent an email to the SU [Students Union].

“We all sent this statement - ’Can you explain to me why last night in square one, our own SU thought it would be comical to have Jimmy Saville as a DJ with two school girls by his side?

!I find it absolutely disgraceful and I speak on behalf of all women whom may have experienced this kind of sexual assault in their life time. I am not the first to voice this opinion and I will not be the last. How can you justify this?’ ”

In response to their emails the Students Union issued an apology: “Coventry University Students Union understands that fancy dress can sometimes cause deep offence.

“We are committed to supporting and representing a diverse student population and that we will carefully monitor all fancy dress events in the future.

“The incident concerning the DJ dressed as Jimmy Savile on 31 October we realise has caused grave offence to many and CUSU apologises unreservedly to all concerned.

“We realise that some of our members have been victims of sexual abuse and we are campaigning on sexual abuse awareness in the near future.

“We did not request or know that the DJ concerned was planning to dress as Jimmy Savile. Had we known we would have prevented this offensive behaviour.”

In addition, the DJ in question issued this statement: "I am deeply sorry for the offence I have caused for my dressing up as Jimmy Savile. I now realise it was a serious error of judgement on my part alone and I did not appreciate the effect it would have.

“I did not inform any officer or staff member what I was going to do. I would like my fee to be donated to Children in Need".

Members of the group however have evidence that the DJ was well aware of the controversy of his choice of fancy dress.

They took a screenshot of his facebook status updates from before before the event, in which he writes, “Tonight’s costume could be a bit risky!!!!!!!”

In response to the public statement issued by the university the story was picked up by regional press, including the Coventry Telegraph and Birmingham Mail.

The female students who have set up the new society hope that they will be able to challenge and highlight other examples of sexism across campus, as Lauren told us.

“We wanted to set up this society so we can help change things at a local level, things like this are happening far to often and are not being called out. We hope to try to change this.

“We wanted to set it up so we can network with other groups, such as the Coventry Feminists, so we can work together in making women’s voices heard.”

Warwick University has, for some time, had a thriving Anti-Sexism Society, but for a long time like-minded students at Coventry University had no such group.

The formation of this society adds to the growing movement in Coventry which includes the Coventry Feminists group which formed in January of this year, and the politically active Coventry Women’s Voices  – as well as several WVoN reporters.

Arguably, across Britain we’re seeing a revival of grassroots feminist activity, with groups like UK Feminista gaining national notoriety and feminist issues being increasingly discussed in mainstream media.

In many ways it’s sad that in 2012 there is still so much need for feminist activity, but it is bloody marvellous that feminists up and down the country, on and off university campuses are getting together to stand up to sexism and inequality.

Progress for women in motorsport in 2012

Posted: 14 Nov 2012 03:00 AM PST

2012 sees the first woman to head an F1 team and the first female Porsche GT3 Cup Middle East driver.

As the F1 season draws to a close, it is a good time to reflect on the progress made by women both in this and in other areas of motorsport in 2012.

As I reported earlier in the year, the sport's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), established the Women In Motorsport Commission (WMC) in April, announcing its first ambassadors; Michèle Mouton, Monisha Kaltenborn, Susie Wolff, Maria de Villota and Katherine Legge.

Their remit is work at a strategic level to promote education and to encourage more women into the sport.

As well as becoming ambassadors, 2012 has been a significant year for each of these women.

Michèle Mouton, President of the WIC, was invited to the Women's Forum Global Meeting in October in Deauville, France. Nearly 300 professionals spoke on issues aimed at promoting women's contribution to society. Mouton spoke about the "democratisation of women in motorsport".

Katherine Legge signed a two-year deal with Dragon Racing to drive in the IndyCar series.

Touring car driver Susie Wolff has been signed by F1 team Williams as a development driver.

But two of these women saw their lives changed completely in 2012, in very different ways.

In July, 32-year old Maria de Villota crashed her Marussia MR-01 while involved in testing at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire. She lost her right eye in the crash and suffered severe head and facial injuries.

In a press conference held in Madrid 0n 11 October she spoke about her experience for the first time.

"Before, I only saw F1, I saw myself in a car competing. I did not see what was important in life, the clarity to say: 'I am alive’."

She went on to say that she still wants to be involved in F1, and to be a role model to women hoping to enter the sport.

"I have motorsport in my DNA and there's no way I can stay away from that world.  I want to keep fighting because I believe so strongly in women being part of motor racing."

Her driving career may be over, but hopefully her ambassadorial role with the WIC will give her the recognition and satisfaction she deserves.

By contrast, Monisha Kaltenborn's year has gone from strength to strength.

In October she became the first female F1 Team Principal when she took over from Peter Sauber at the Sauber team.

She began her career at Sauber in 2000, when she headed up the company's legal department. It was not long before she was invited to sit on the board.

She became CEO in 2010, but her elevation to Team Principal is an unprecedented step that should give hope to the many other women aspiring to top posts in F1.

In an interview with the BBC, 41-year old Kaltenborn said, "I hope it will change [having more women]. I hope more women will come up and the most important thing is to give them to the opportunity. Women have the education, the confidence and the competence, but they simply need that opportunity."

Kaltenborn's promotion has been welcomed throughout the sport.

In the same interview, Red Bull Principal, Christian Horner, said "It's good for her and for women in motorsport. In our own team we have more and more women taking predominant roles. It is very healthy and should be applauded."

As part of her ambassadorial duties with the FIA, Kaltenborn has also become a Patron of the project "F1 in Schools", with responsibility for the project in India.

F1 in Schools is a global programme aimed at encouraging children's interest in engineering.

Kaltenborn, who was born in India, attended the launch of the project at the end of October in New Delhi. More than 250 students worldwide, 30 per cent of whom are girls, take part in the project every year.

Kaltenborn expressed her excitement at getting involved in the project. "I'm sure there are many Indian students who are keen to participate,” she said.

“There is so much talent in this county and I'm pleased that I was given the opportunity to support this programme… I would be particularly pleased to see this programme attract more girls and women to become involved in motorsport in the long term."

Away from F1, there has been real progress in the GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

This lesser known, highly male-dominated sport comprises 12 races over six weekends.

Danish driver Christina Nielsen will be the first woman to compete in the series when she completes the opening round at the Bahrain International Circuit this weekend.

"More and more women are interested in motorsport, especially in Europe and America, and hopefully it will happen in the Middle East, too. All they need is encouragement and the chance to compete," she said.

"I may be the only women to drive in the championship, but for me when I put my helmet on I'm just another one of the drivers. I set my own targets to achieve and focus on my own goals."

We may be some way from women being seen as “just another” part of motorsport, whether as drivers, ambassadors, engineers of team principals. But if 2012 is anything to go by, women will soon be fulfilling roles which they could only dream of a decade ago.