Right to Equality Blog

Charlotte Richardson, in conversation with Ruth Dineen, founder of Hague Mothers, explores the key issues with Hague Convention proceedings and why we are campaigning for reform.

Apsana Begum MP writes for Right to Equality about why she wants to change the law to ensure domestic violence survivors can access their democratic right to stand for election.

In the wake of the Fordingbridge rape case, a criminal barrister examines the scrutiny of Crown Court sentencing decisions and the concerns the case has raised about judicial accountability.

A blog post from our Head of Policy, Lucy Hayton, on the significance of a new judgment from the President of the Family Division involving so-called “parental alienation”, child removal and experts in family courts.

A statement about the new documentary ‘Breaking the Silence: Kate’s Story’ and why Right to Equality is concerned about the Government’s lack of action on family court reform in their first year in office.

As a society, we have become all too familiar with the images of violence against women and girls that are so often splashed across our newspapers and television screens. Whether it is domestic abuse, sexual assault, or even rape, the statistics show that…

The idea that prostitution is work has been widely accepted by society and is often seen as a viable job option for those in poverty. The reality, however, is far from this as prostitution is a form of sexual exploitation of women by…

Last year, I did a short research project for Sexual Violence Awareness Week, which is now available in the Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law. Please email for a PDF version of the research, as it is not open-access due to costs. A…

Read Louise Tickle’s guest blog post for Right to Equality detailing the recent work undertaken to expose a biased judge and maintain accountability in the court.

Is it time to end jury trials in rape cases?

The problems with the way women experience the criminal justice system in this country are many, varied and overwhelmingly well-documented. No-one can realistically think that the system we currently have is working.

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of intergenerational relationships, particularly in the realm of dating. While some may view such unions as harmless or even appealing, there are a multitude of reasons why intergenerational age gaps in…

Love-bombing and gaslighting are two forms of emotional abuse and manipulation used by people in intimate relationships. Both are dangerous, damaging behaviours that can have long-lasting and negative effects on victims.

Joanna Ong examines the profound societal and legal challenges victims face in seeking justice. Despite international human rights protections, cultural norms often privatise sexual violence, allowing perpetrators to evade accountability with the support of “implicated subjects”—those close to the abuser who defend their reputation.

Misogyny in the legal system is an endemic problem that continues to affect individuals and society at large. Despite progress in recent years, the legal system remains largely unresponsive to the needs of women. In many cases, it is even complicit in perpetuating…

Public sexual harassment is a global issue that has been prevalent for centuries, yet only recently has it gained the proper recognition and attention it deserves. The true scale of the problem is often overlooked and ignored, leading to a culture of complacency and acceptance….

One hundred years ago, in Britain, women were subject to a variety of oppressive laws that denied them basic rights and severely limited their opportunities. These laws were based on the idea that women were inferior to men and needed to be controlled…

Toxic masculinity is a set of rigid, narrow-minded views of manhood that are damaging to both men and women. It is based on a belief that men should conform to certain stereotypes, such as being tough and aggressive, in order to be considered…

Rape and domestic abuse are two of the most heinous crimes a person can commit, and both are addressed in both family courts and criminal courts. While there are some distinct differences between the two court systems, there are also many overlaps. 

In the UK, political transformation begins and ends with Parliament. Doesn’t it? 

Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors (IDVAs) are an important source of support for victims of domestic abuse in both family court and criminal court proceedings. Domestic abuse can be an incredibly traumatic experience, and many victims have difficulty navigating the legal system to get…

Domestic abuse is a serious issue in society that can lead to physical, mental, and emotional harm. It’s important to be aware of the key signs of domestic abuse so that you can be sure to recognize it in your own life or…

Gaslighting is a term used to describe the process of psychologically manipulating someone, often by making them doubt their own sanity or reality. It is a form of psychological abuse that is used to gain power and control over another person. Gaslighting can…

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is an international law document that was created in 1950 by the Council of Europe. It sets out the fundamental human rights that all people should enjoy, regardless of where they live or their nationality. The…

Violence against women and girls is something that has been a problem in our society for far too long. Despite the efforts of governments, non-governmental organizations, and activists to end gender-based violence, there is still much more that needs to be done in…

In this blog post, Emma Fielding, a criminal barrister, reflects on the difficulties faced by prosecutors when there have been parallel family and criminal court proceedings.

Abortion is a deeply personal decision that should be left to the individual, not the government or any other institution. The right to choose whether or not to have an abortion is a fundamental human right and women must not be criminalised for…

Feminism has long been a topic of debate, with many people believing that it only benefits women and is irrelevant to the lives of men. In reality, all men should be feminists, as feminism is essential in creating an equal and just society…

Domestic abuse is a pervasive and growing problem that affects countless individuals, families, and communities. It is an issue that requires immediate attention and action in order to prevent further harm to those affected by it. Unfortunately, due to its prevalence and complexity,…

Men have a responsibility to take a stand against male violence. With the recent #MeToo movement, more and more women are coming forward to share their stories of abuse and harassment. While this is a powerful statement that should be applauded, it’s also…

Childcare is an essential service in our society, yet it is not always available to everyone who needs it. In fact, many families find it difficult to access the childcare they need due to high costs or limited availability. This has a significant…

For too long, children of abusive parents have been subject to a system that fails to protect their rights and safety. The presumption of contact between an abusive parent and their child has been in law for many years, but it is now…

The rule of law is a legal concept that has been in existence for centuries, and it has long been seen as a patriarchal notion. The rule of law is defined as the principle that all persons and government officials are subject to…

Radical feminism is a branch of feminism that emphasizes the belief that patriarchy is the fundamental source of oppression for women. It is an ideology that seeks to challenge traditional gender roles and to dismantle the structures of power and privilege that perpetuate…

Gender quotas should be implemented in all industries to promote a more equitable and diverse working environment. Despite the strides that have been made for gender equality, there are still significant disparities between men and women in the workplace. Women are often not…

The feminist movement has long championed the rights of individuals to live as they choose and to be protected from discrimination. This includes women, of course, but it should also extend to transgender people. Trans rights are human rights, and the feminist movement…

Toxic masculinity is a set of beliefs and behaviours that are traditionally associated with men and boys, such as dominance, aggression, violence, competitiveness, and stoicism. These traits are seen as socially desirable in many societies and can lead to men feeling pressure to…

Women have been making incredible strides in the world for years. They’ve broken down barriers, shattered ceilings, and made their mark in all kinds of industries. Despite this progress, we still live in a society where men are typically seen as the leaders…

It’s been over two years since Apple launched its AirTag device, a small and inconspicuous gadget that can be attached to keys, wallets, and other items to help you locate them using the Find My app on your…

We live in a world where 70% of women (16 million) have experienced some form of gender-based violence since the age of 15. Whether it be psychological abuse or physical assault, male violence against women and…