Rape Crisis centre refuses to help DWP enforce its tax credit rape clause
MP Alison Thewliss has campaigned against the rape clause.
Hear, hear. All organisations who are also asked to take part in this travesty should take the same stand.
Is there anything to add?
The UK’s oldest Rape Crisis centre will refuse to help officials implement the so-called “rape clause”, it has emerged.
The board, management and staff of Rape Crisis Glasgow will not cooperate with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) by acting as a “third party assessor” to deliver the benefits change. Changes first unveiled by George Osborne during his time as Chancellor will prevent new claimants from receiving child tax credits for more than two children.
However, an exemption will be put in place for women who can prove their pregnancies resulted from rape.
The DWP says the change, which comes into force in just a few days, will be delivered “in the most compassionate way”, with support given to eligible claimants.
Social workers, doctors and specialist charities are expected to be used to gather information from those affected. However, the government has yet to set out how this will work in practice, with guidance yet to be published. But in a statement yesterday, Rape Crisis Glasgow, the longest serving centre of its kind in the UK, says it will play no part in the delivery of the policy.
The centre, which helped 900 people between April and November last year alone, said: “No woman should be forced to prove her own rape, or even speak about it until she decides the time is right for her, and elects to do so to a person of her choosing.
“Rape Crisis’ role is not to gather evidence for benefits claims. Our role is to provide specialist support to survivors of sexual violence, abuse and/or exploitation.
“Indeed, we are poorly enough resourced to do this job yet we deliver a service that is second to none. It is not our job to operate as an arm of the Department of Work and Pensions.”
Source: We won’t help run the rape clause says Rape Crisis centre (From The National)
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It is difficult enough to prove rape in the courts without being accused of lying. A couple of years ago I did a criminal justice course, even then prosecutions for rape was 0.01 and they are the most publicised cases. It is almost impossible to prove non-consent. The DWP will end up violating those victims all over again!
the sick government the sick dwp oh dear better pick up our towels and bar of soap on our way to that lovely shower room
II wonder just what penalties will be expexted to try and force these principled people in to submission. More power to them and their funders and supporter. Violence against women is just that, VIOLENCE. Vastly aggravated by the destruction wrecked on us all by ‘Austerity’.
I suspect that the DWP expected this to happen. Nobody, quite rightly, will help them with their “proof” and so the benefits will all be refused. Tory job done.
If only all charities would refuse to assist the DWP!