Young women accused of letting their guard down by female journalist

Daily Mail columnist Liz Jones has sparked a debate by insinuating that modern women care more about their appearance than they do about their safety.

Jones claims that the provocative outfits and poses of celebrities Girls Aloud and young models are inspiring women to be too focused on their outward appearance, dress inappropriately and let their guard down.

The story follows the trial of 'black cab rapist' John Warbuoys, who assaulted women after giving them spiked champagne in the back of his cab. Jones argues that her generation (young women of the 80s) were more savvy - and that young women are risking their safety by not taking adequate precautions when out alone.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1165542/LIZ-JONES-Ditch-It-bag-heels-girls-dust-rape-alarm.html

The Daily Mail is read by up to 4.9m people a day.

Violence Against Women - right to anonymity raised for those wrongly accused of rape

The news this weekend has been filled with stories covering the aquittal of Peter Bacon.
Bacon was accused of rape by a female solicitor who had been drinking so heavily that she could not remember intercourse taking place. Jurors took just 45mins to find the accused not guilty, and the case has thrown up questions around anonymity for those (wrongly) accused.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1165646/Id-report-rape-says-female-lawyer-accused-chef-rape-drunken-night-stand.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5982638.ece

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/03/27/chef-peter-bacon-accused-of-rape-of-drunken-lawyer-is-acquitted-in-45-minutes-115875-21230998/

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2344094.ece

New 'safe' social network for under 18s

Yoursphere has launched in the UK - a blog which puts safety first for young people - over 18s aren't allowed.

It was set up by a concerned Mum who wanted a safe place for kids to interact, away from 'creepers' - adults who may pose a danger to young people online.

http://yoursphere.co.uk/

More prison sentances for knife carrying

The Guardian's report on the latest governement figures:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/12/knife-crime-prison-sentences

Jacqui Smith claims 'We are winning the war on knives'

News reports today claim that figures released tomorrow will show a dramatic reduction in the number of hospital admissions for stab wounds. 'Stop and search' operations on young people are also unturning fewer knives.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/03/11/we-are-winning-fight-on-knives-home-secretary-jacqui-smithhails-mirror-campaign-exclusive-115875-21189293/

Smith is angered by the public perception of teens is still very negative, and that the impact of false stories leads to scaremongering; "there are young people out there who think that all other young people are carrying knives and therefore they need to carry one."

BBC view on youth clubs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7913616.stm