New ASBO law could catch carol singers
The Christian Institute and other civil liberty organisations have launched a campaign to reform clause 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill that could catch street preachers and carol singers. Under the clause, a court can grant an Injunction to Prevent Nuisance and Annoyance (IPNA) if someone “has engaged or threatens to engage in conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance” to any person. IPNAs are easier to grant, and require a lower threshold of evidence than Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, known as ASBOs. In a piece for The Daily Telegraph, Philip Johnston said the new IPNAs would be deployed against “easy targets” while others “get away with terrorising their neighbourhoods. Lord Macdonald also said: “Of course political demonstrations, street performers and corner preachers may be ‘annoying’ to some but, he added, “The danger in this Bill is that it potentially empowers State interference against such activities in the face of shockingly low safeguards”.
Pray: for the concerns raised to be heeded and for Clause 1 to be amended to exclude preaching, carol singing. etc. (Gal.5:1)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/new-asbo-law-could-catch-carol-singers/
Rape prevention work needed
Police in England and Wales are being urged to be more proactive in their efforts to prevent rapes. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt said forces have been too "reactive" up until now. He wants police to focus on people who are vulnerable to abuse and institutions where intelligence suggests abuse is taking place. His comments come at the start of a week-long campaign to encourage rape victims to come forward. Mr Hewitt said debate on the issue was "far too often" restricted to investigation and prosecution and called for a "challenging debate about prevention as well. Most rape involves the coming together of some form of power and some type of vulnerability; either permanent or temporary," he said. "We need to be utilising all our powers and tactics to understand how this happens, to mitigate the vulnerability and reduce the opportunities for that power to be abused."
Pray: for all victims of rape but pray that this fresh approach will make a real difference. (Ps.9:9)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25176554
Sexism is daily reality for girls, says Girlguiding
Sexism is so widespread in the UK that it affects "most aspects" of the lives of girls and young women, a report from Girlguiding says. "Sexual harassment is commonplace, girls' appearance is intensively scrutinised and their abilities are undermined," says the report. The report Equality for Girls is based on a survey of more than 1,200 girls and young women aged seven to 21. Girlguiding chief executive Julie Bentley called it a "wake-up call". She said: "This cannot be dismissed as something that girls and young women just have to deal with as they grow up." “Girls needed to live in an equal society if they were to flourish and fulfil their potential to be leaders in all walks of life”, added Ms Bentley. Girls identified sexism as a priority issue for their generation, with three-quarters saying sexism affected most areas of their lives, says the report.
Pray: for greater awareness of this problem and a serious commitment to overcoming such sexism.. (Gal.3:28)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25138455
Miliband urges Christians to engage with politics
Labour leader Ed Miliband has released a video thanking churches and Christian agencies for their efforts in social justice, and emphasising the importance of Christians being involved in politics. "You do incredibly important work here at home: helping people who go to food banks, helping the homeless and helping all those at risk of disadvantage and those who are vulnerable in our communities," he says. He also commends the action Christians undertake in different countries across the globe "for development, against climate change, on all the important issues that matter". The video encourages Christians to engage with politics and Miliband spoke of his support for Christians on the Left - formerly the Christian Socialist Movement - which works in partnership with the Labour Party to put Christian values and ideas around social justice into political action. The society, which counts forty MPs among its members, believes that to make lasting change, Christians must be a real voice from within the political world, not just outside of it.
Pray: for a greater recognition of the significant and crucial role played by Christians inboth public and political life. (Mk.16:15)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/miliband.urges.christians.to.engage.with.politics/34861.htm
