Latest News

In April this year the law changed to include stalking as a criminal offence.  Chloe Hopkins from North Wales was driven to a suicide attempt due to the stress of being stalked by a man from her home town who became obsessed with her.  He had her name tattooed on his chest, would send sexually explicit messages on facebook, harassing her daily, taking photos of her in the street, sending valentine's and birthday cards.  He has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison. 

Chloe's story shared in the following newspaper link shows the level of fear and disruption stalking causes to the lives of people living with harassment and stalking.

  http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/4489465/Stalker-stood-in-front-of-me-and-lifted-his-shirtto-show-me-a-tattoo-of-my-name-on-his-chest.html

 

Thank you very much to the Allen Lane Foundation who have awarded HOMETRUTHS a second grant towards continuation of our services in our second year.

The Allen Lane Foundation made a significant award for start-up and core costs in 2011 and has awarded us a second grant of £5,000 to ensure survivors of domestic violence and abuse continue to receive services in 2012-13.

More than 50 cases of people with learning disability being forced to marry in the UK last year

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jul/31/forced-marriage-blights-learning-disabled?fb=native&;CMP=FBCNETTXT9038

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18950390

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jul/22/domestic-violence-conviction-rate-high?newsfeed=true

This is good news, but as we know this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Only 20% of incidents are reported to the Police in the UK and not all of these get to court or result in a conviction.

 

Caroline is a caring, strong and feisty woman and is dealing with a lot from her past relationships.  She has been receiving support from HOMETRUTHS for a couple of months and she gave us a poem yesterday that she had written for us.  She has written it to express her feelings about the support she has received from HOMETRUTHS, and we would like to share it with you.  Thank you Caroline.....

"No words are uttered, yet they understand.  When all is lost out stretches a hand.

When it feels the world's against you, and nothing will see you through, like a light in the darkness is HOMETRUTHS - they are there for you."

http://www.swindonlink.com/news/parliamentary-outreach-service-give-a-helping-hand-to-hometruths

Naomi Kent, the South West Parliamentary Outreach Officer spent a day with Swindon's Domestic Abuse Survivros' Forum - TEARS, facilitated by HOMETRUTHS, to learn about influencing government and having a voice to contribute to change at Parliamentary levels.

It was an interesting day and HOMETRUTHS will ensure that the TEARS Survivors' Forum puts everything they learned to good use.

Keir Starmer, Director of Public Prosecutions who is the head of the Crown Prosecution in England and Wales, suggests that easy access to online pornography contruburtes to an increase in relationship violence for young people.

 http://www.deccanherald.com/content/262329/teenage-relationship-violence-linked-porn.html

HOMETRUTHS Swindon Trinity Project is a new and developing project focusing on Violence Against Women and Girls aged 16-24.  Funded by the Crime Innovation Fund we are developing specialist services for young women in Swindon.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/9801485.Grant_to_charity_which_helps_domestic_violence_victims/

HOMETRUTHS is really pleased to have been awarded a 2012 Wiltshire Police Authority Award for our work with victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

It is fantastic to receive the recognition for our work over the last 18 months and both with individuals though our Community IDVA Service and also our groups - The Swindon Freedom Programme and NewBeginnings.

 

HOMETRUTHS had a stall at the Toothill Festival today.  Despite the odd shower, the weather was mainly sunny and lots of people came along to the day, it was good to see so many people and all those that stopped to chat and ask questions.

 

Floyd Mayweather Jr. had terrible history of domestic violence and battery starting from 2002, for which he served 24 hour house arrest, 2 days community service and a 6 month suspended sentence. And, the same scenario repeated in 2004 for which he was found guilty and served the compensation. In 2005, his name was filed for the battery case again, and served 90 days jail sentence. Floyd Mayweather Jr. was found guilty to another felony battery and harassment linked to a 2010 attack on his ex-girlfriend, and verbal harassment against her kids. On 12^th June 2012, Mayweather pleaded guilty, and was charged with a fine of $3000 and 3 months jail term at the ‘Clark County Detention Centre’ in Las Vegas.

Currently Floyd Mayweather Jr. is ranked 2^nd amongst the boxers in the world. He shares the position with Philippines’ origin Manny Pacquiao. When closely examined, they are the top boxers, since the first place is simply vacant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18305856

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2159313/Floyd-Mayweather-jail-release-plea-rebuffed.html

 

http://apps.facebook.com/theguardian/politics/2012/jun/25/cameron-tories-slash-benefits

Research by BBC News shows that International Football Tournaments increases the numbers of domestic violence incidents reported to the police.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18379093

Articles in The Guardian discussing the debate in Government about the propsed changes to Legal Aid in the UK.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2012/apr/27/legal-aid-lords-domestic-violence-luck

http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2012/apr/22/womens-groups-legal-aid-reforms

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/17/mps-vote-protect-women-legal-aid

 

http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/hometruths

Please visit easyfundraising if you are an online shopper, and register to raise funds on every online purchase for HOMETRUTHS services.  It is no extra cost to you, as the retailers make a contribution to your registered cause through the saving made by online sales.

Thank you very much!

We have had excellent feedback from the delegates who attended HOMETRUTHS' 1st Annual Conference:

"I want to thank you and your wonderful volunteers for making the day so informative and a true reminder of why we all do what we do."

"Congratulations on organising such an informative, inspiring conference.  The voices of the women survivors were very moving and so powerful and my thanks go to them for being so honest and open."

"Well done on a fantastic conference today.  I really has a very worthwhile time, right in the arena.  Terrific speakers, warm, engaging and expert.... I learnt so much."

"I really enjoyed the conference.  It was well put together with a very good choice of speakers."

"Thank you once again for a really informative and stimulating conference.... we had a thoroughly good day and came home buzzing with ideas and energy!"

 

Watch the Sunday Politics Show - West 10/06/12 to see HOMETRUTHS' contribution to the discussion about the new pilot of Clare's Law.  Wiltshire is one of the pilot areas together with Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire and Gwent. 

Thank you to Stella for sharing her views and experience of domestic violence on camera!  So courageous and inspriring! 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jld46/Sunday_Politics_West_10_06_2012/        (It begins 30 minutes into the show if you want to fast forward to it.)

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/9750657.Police_extend_pilot_after_domestic_violence_order_success/

A report by the Trust For London - Tackling Poverty and Inequality shows that 31% of funding to the domestic violence and sexual abuse sector from local authorities was cut between 2010/11 and 2011/12.

http://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/SummaryVAWG.pdf

HOMETRUTHS is an independent organisation and we rely on fundraising, sponsorship and donations to fund our services.  If you are able to help with this in any way, please get in touch with us.