The High Court today (2 July 2025) refused to accept the findings of two investigations into MI5 following an acknowledgment earlier this year that it had materially misled several courts in relation to its controversial informant known as ‘X’.
Read moreCWJ responds to MP’s landmark vote to decriminalise abortions
CWJ welcomes the decision taken by a majority of MPs voting in the House of Commons on 17 June 2025 to end the criminalisation of women for ‘illegal’ abortions in England and Wales.
Read moreCWJ welcomes major report on grooming gangs and Home Secretary’s pledge
On 14 June 2025, the Government announced a statutory inquiry into abuse and exploitation of children by grooming gangs across the United Kingdom – ahead of a damning report released on 16 June 2025.
Read moreCWJ welcomes new Victim’s Right of Review Pilot
CWJ welcomed the announcement by the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby, and the Crown Prosecution Service to introduce a pilot which gives victims of rape and serious sexual violence an opportunity to challenge a decision to offer no evidence and end the case.
Read moreCWJ responds to Independent Sentencing Review
We welcome key recommendations on women in contact with the criminal justice system but raise concerns on early release of domestic abuse and sexual offence perpetrators.
Read moreNominations are open for the 2025 Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize and CWJ Award!
We are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize and Centre for Women’s Justice Award.
Read moreBan ‘bad character’ evidence in rape cases, say experts
The government has today (7 May 2025) introduced a new Victims and Courts Bill aiming to better protect victims and improve access to justice.
Read moreCourageous CWJ client secures conviction of rapist 23 years after attack
‘Sam’, a client of Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ), who supported the CWJ case in relation to the disclosure of historic convictions for street prostitution has won another court victory.
Read moreCWJ responds to new powers to sack officers who fail background checks
We welcome the government’s announcement today (23 April 2025) that they have created new powers enabling chief constables to sack officers if they fail vetting standards.
Read moreFresh Evidence Challenges Safety of Amanda O’Shaughnessy’s Conviction
On 4 March 2025 at a renewal hearing at the Court of Appeal, Annabel Timan (Doughty Street Chambers) will argue that Amanda O’Shaughnessy’s 2015 murder conviction is unsafe due to new psychiatric evidence supporting the defence of loss of control.
Read moreMI5 misled multiple courts about informant who abused women
Lawyers acting for the Attorney General were forced to answer questions in the High Court, after it was revealed that a deputy director of MI5 made a false statement in proceedings about an MI5 recruit who terrorised his girlfriend, ‘Beth’.
Read moreCWJ responds to the National Audit Office’s report on VAWG
A new report released on 31 January 2025 by the National Audit Office reveals that despite this and the previous government’s initiatives, there has been no significant improvement in outcomes for victims of violence against women and girls.
Read moreCWJ response to the verdict in the trial of Ryan Wellings
On 13 January 2025 Ryan Wellings was found not guilty of manslaughter and guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2020 and July 2022.
Read moreCWJ response to Gisèle Pelicot verdict
Centre for Women’s Justice welcomes the French Court’s verdict in the case of Gisèle Pelicot and applauds her courage and dignity.
Read moreEnd the unjust criminalisation of survivors of domestic abuse
Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) have joined Women in Prison and four other leading women’s sector organisations calling for an end to the unjust criminalisation of survivors of domestic abuse and better support criminalised survivors.
Read moreCentre for Women’s Justice responds to announcement of new vetting standards for police officers
The College of Policing has announced today (16 December 2024) the introduction of new vetting standards for potential and serving police officers and staff.
Read moreCentre for Women’s Justice Welcomes Review of Homicide Laws and Sentencing Framework
The Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) today welcomed the announcement by Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood that the Law Commission will undertake a review of the law of homicide and the sentencing framework for murder.
Read moreCWJ responds to announcement of new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders: Implementation is key
The Home Office and Ministry of Justice have announced today (27 November 2024) the launch of new protective measures for victims of domestic abuse.
Read moreCourt of Appeal rejects murder appeal by Lea Rose Cheng – women’s campaigners now demand change in the law
On 25 October 2024, the criminal appeal court rejected an appeal by 25 year old Lea Rose Cheng who was convicted of the murder of 39 year old Dylan Bacon.
Read moreCWJ responds to speech by Justice Secretary
Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) welcomes the focus of the Lord Chancellor’s conference speech on achieving justice for women involved in the criminal justice system as victims or as offenders. As she suggests, this is long overdue.
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