Prisoners who gave birth in handcuffs sue Ministry of Justice
One of five women who went into labour while an inmate at HMP Bronzefield says she begged officers to remove her restraints in the hospital
Level Up's feminist campaigns on reproductive justice, Black women's health, sexual violence in football, and domestic abuse have been covered by leading UK and international media since 2018.
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One of five women who went into labour while an inmate at HMP Bronzefield says she begged officers to remove her restraints in the hospital
Black women are calling for a ban on toxic hair ingredients - which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and fibroids
Maya Sikand KC and Janey Starling, co-authors of a new toolkit, Representing pregnant women and mothers in the criminal justice system, believe that advocates can play a critical role in ensuring that sentencers get it right
Pregnant women in prison are seven times more likely to suffer stillbirth and twice as likely to give birth prematurely.
Baby Aisha Cleary died in a prison cell after her then teenage mother, Rianna, was left to give birth alone in 2019. Earlier this year, a coroner ruled that multiple systemic failures led to her death.
Freedom of information requests show that female prisoners are three times more likely to suffer gestational diabetes
At least two female prisoners have come forward over incidents that occurred at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey between 2021 and 2023
We spoke to Janey Starling, from the feminist campaign group Level Up, and former prison governor Pia Sinha, who now heads the Prison Reform Trust.
Inquiry into how 18-year-old gave birth on her own in HMP Bronzefield in Ashford finds many failings
Campaigners hail decision to replace 22-year-oldâs prison term for firearm possession with suspended sentence
Poll shared with Observer shows high support for reform of prison sentencing to stop lives being torn apartar
New data on prisons has added to calls by campaigners to end custodial sentences for expectant mothers
Research claims to show link between cancer and lye-containing products largely used by black women
Experts and campaigners write open letter to justice secretary and Sentencing Council warning of dangers of giving birth in jail
Two babies have died in women’s prisons in UK in past three years, when mothers gave birth without medical assistance
Letter makes demands including letting clubs suspend without pay players suspected of abuse
Campaigners renew calls to end incarceration of pregnant women after introduction of measure at HMP Bronzefield
Amnesty says social media firm must do more to support users who report harassment
A TEENAGE girl who gave birth in prison was found clinging to her dead baby girl after her cries for help were ignored for 12 hours. The pregnant girl, 18, was in jail for the first time afte…
Exclusive: Report from the ombudsman found that the guards who failed to help were offered bereavement support but not the grieving teenager
A personal account exploring the parallels between EastEnders character Sonia's fictional prison pregnancy and the reality faced by real women in UK jails — highlighting how mainstream TV is finally reflecting a crisis that campaigners like Level Up have long been raising.
A woman who gave birth in prison has said it has been 'emotional' seeing soap Coronation Street tell the storyline of character Lauren having a baby in jail on TV
An 18-year-old prisoner who gave birth alone at night in her cell bit through the umbilical cord to free the baby, who was either stillborn or died soon after
Campaigners have demanded an end to the “high-risk” practice of sending pregnant women to prison as new figures show that nearly 200 expectant mothers were be
Emily Robins describes the harassment she faced over Facebook as “virtual psychological abuse”. She was 18 when her account was broken into by a hacker she believes to be her ex-boyfriend, starting seven years of torment that still goes on.Robins is not alone. New research shows more than half of yo
When a public figure responds to an allegation against them with the words “fake news”, they invoke a certain Trumpian disdain, an air of dismissal. When Cristi
A BANNER bearing the name of Cristiano Ronaldo’s alleged rape victim has been flown over Old Trafford in protest against the Portugal captain. The 36-year-old football sensation today made hi…
MORE than half the young women using Facebook have been harassed, including some being stalked, a study found. Sixty per cent have received offensive, graphic or insulting messages. Some were sent …
The Portuguese forward was making his first appearance for Manchester United since 2009 but feminist group Level Up aimed to "disrupt the fanfare" with the banner
Rianna Cleary was six months pregnant in the biggest women's prison in the country when she gave birth alone in a prison cell before her baby Aisha died in her arms
Una carta de activistas británicas se suma a las demandas que ha recibido la empresa francesa por el presunto uso de químicos peligrosos.
Two babies died in UK prisons after their mums were jailed. The new sentencing guidelines, which come in to force on April 1, will see fewer women who are pregnant or have recently given birth behind bars
WARNING: DISTRESS CONTENT An inquest into the death of a baby who was found dead in her mother's arms inside a prison cell, has slammed both the prison and hospital involved in looking after her pregnant teenage mother
"Every bad article on domestic violence is a missed opportunity to help prevent further deaths."
Rianna Cleary gave birth alone in a prison cell and had to endure the death of her baby.
Three women bravely share their stories of motherhood behind bars
It comes as the latest in a sequence of public protests over mothers in prison, organised by campaign groups No Births Behind Bars and Level Up.
An inquest found “clear evidence” of “systemic failings” in the death of Aisha Cleary
Call for system overhaul amid increasing concerns for women who give birth while behind bars
Despite criticism for the use of potentially harmful chemicals, companies are still selling the products around the world
Feminist group Level Up says it flew message over Old Trafford in support of woman accusing footballer of sexual assault
Feminism was forged in the struggle to escape the sweatshop, says campaigner Janey Starling
The social media giant said sorry about Cambridge Analytica but is silent about sexual harassment
Melanie Clark’s case highlights the shameful reporting of domestic violence deaths. A new press code would save lives, says Janey Starling of feminist organisation Level Up
It´s time we stopped being part of a culture that vilifies men, says Carys Afoko, founder of a feminist organisation
Female activists also asked the company to invest in research on the long-term use of chemical relaxers, which make hair easier to straighten
The Sentencing Council will replace the existing reference to pregnancy with a dedicated factor for pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care.
The protest was set up like a child's birthday party with dancing and people singing nursery rhymes.
Podría haber un vínculo entre el cáncer y productos que contienen lejía, señalan
An explainer breaking down Level Up's #NoMoreLyes petition, which calls on beauty brands including L'Oréal to remove toxic chemicals — including sodium hydroxide — from hair relaxers used predominantly by Black women, following research linking these products to cancer and fibroids.
Two babies have died in England’s prisons in recent years, and pregnant women have appalling stories to tell
Alleged victims tell the BBC top clubs prioritise commercial interests over the safety of women.
Some are worried about ingredients in products used to style afro hair - but the science isn't clear.
This kind of reporting is not just lazy or cliched, it’s dangerous - and hopefully we’ll see an end to it soon, with UK press regulators publishing new guidelines on how journalists should report fatal domestic abuse.
From unwanted pictures of penises to full profile hacks, women continue to be a target for harassment.
Campaigners are demanding beauty brands remove dangerous chemicals from Black hair products.
Two babies are known to have died in women’s prisons in the past three years.
Armed with signs, the group sang nursery rhymes in the London drizzle as they called for change.
The UK’s largest press regulator will enter discussions over potentially introducing guidelines on the reporting of domestic violence deaths.
A voluntary approach to improving reporting of domestic abuse stories in UK newsrooms is no longer enough, according to feminist campaigners.
A plane showing support for a woman who accused the player of rape flies over Old Trafford.
New data from the Prison Reform Trust reveals that women held on remand — not yet convicted — are disproportionately likely to self-harm in custody, highlighting the mental health crisis caused by unnecessary pre-trial imprisonment, including of pregnant women.
The UK’s two press regulators have endorsed a feminist campaign group’s new set of guidelines on the reporting of domestic violence deaths.
If the lives of Black women and girls matter to these companies, they’ll take these poisonous products off the shelves.
Ms A had to bite through umbilical cord herself before trying to wipe up blood from floor, say investigators
On Tuesday, Revlonâs bankruptcy judge extended the deadline by which customers with certain types of cancer can file claims against the company.
Women who have abortions after legal cut-off are ‘always in desperately vulnerable situations and are victims not criminals,’ prominent doctor warns
Decriminalising abortion is just the first step — access, funding and support must follow for the law to mean anything for women.
An explainer on what decriminalisation of abortion means in practice and why campaigners say it matters for women's healthcare rights.
Exclusive: Major study into impact of products containing lye, a harsh chemical used in drain unblockers.
Activists press companies to match social media commitments to anti-racism with action on products and hiring policies
Gender justice group Level Up flew a plane over Old Trafford on Saturday in protest of Cristiano Ronaldo's debut for Manchester United.
Different chemistries have been designed to turn curly hair straight, but in all cases questions remain about their safety, finds Rachel Brazil
Aisha Cleary: Baby died after ‘vulnerable’ Black teenage mother gave birth alone in prison cell
Exclusive: One ex-prisoner tells The Independent she was forced to sleep on top bunk of bed in double room
The plane flew overhead to reject the "culture of silence around abuse from the football community"
More than half of women who have reported harassment on Facebook claim they got no response or were told there would be no action as it did not violate community guidelines, research suggests.
One woman shares her story as campaigners say prisons will never be safe for pregnant women, new mothers and babies
Anna was terrified she might lose her first-born while pregnant in prison. She says the BBC show Time is an accurate representation of her harrowing experience
As the inquest into the death of Aisha Cleary, born in her 18-year-old mother’s cell in 2019, comes to a close, Lauren Crosby Medlicott speaks to other women who have given birth while locked up
As a new campaign launches to prevent pregnant women being sent to prison, an anonymous mother describes her experience of being pregnant in prison, being in labour in handcuffs and looking after a newborn behind bars. Read more at Graziadaily.co.uk
Last night, a BBC Two documentary aired detailing the case of Sally Challen, a...
It’s 2021 – why are women still birthing behind bars in Britain? Lauren Crosby Medlicott on the campaign to keep pregnant women out of prison
Louise Powell says she hopes new guidance means fewer pregnant women are jailed and it can be the legacy of her child Brooke
Feminist group Level Up were responsible for the banner, which read: Believe Kathryn Mayorga. Kathryn Mayorga alleged that Cristiano Ronaldo raped her in a Las Vegas hotel room in the summer of 2009. He has denied these claims.
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United was met with a feminist protest in the sky above Old Trafford relating to rape allegations brought by an American woman he met in Las Vegas in 2009.
An Oxford University report found that women repeatedly using hair relaxers containing lye could be 30 per cent more at risk of breast cancer
Pregnant women are being forced to give birth in prison, affecting their own and their children’s life chances. Janey Starling explains why no woman should be imprisoned in pregnancy.
A first-of-its-kind study showed that use of chemical hair straighteners was associated with a slight reduction in the likelihood of pregnancy, and that Black and Hispanic individuals were more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to use these products early in life, more frequently, and for longer durations.
“Putting a pregnant woman, or a mother and child behind a locked door is never going to be a safe place.”
For the families of women killed by violent current and former partners, it couldn’t come a moment too soon.
What would the world look like if we prioritised building the emotional and physical structures we all need to live more loving and liberated lives? Inspired...
In an open letter, coordinated by the UK feminist group Level Up, campaigners also ask the company to invest in research on the long-term use of chemical relaxers, which make hair easier to straighten.
A joint status conference is being held today for hair relaxer lawsuits consolidated as part of a multidistrict litigation in federal court.
As the litigation against hair-relaxing product manufacturers heats up, the United Kingdom (UK) feminist community Level Up has called for beauty products manufacturer L’Oréal to either make these products safer or take them off the shelves. In an
Sky News has spoken to three women who've experienced pregnancy in jail and describe it as a frightening, isolating and humiliating experience.
It comes as the latest in a sequence of public protests over mothers in prison, organised by campaign groups No Births Behind Bars and Level Up.
As a campaign launched today calls for an end to prison sentencing for pregnant women in the UK, one woman shares her experience
As a forensic criminologist, I’m regularly aghast at the way we report on and talk about men who murder their wives.
The legal system can strip innocent children of their home and carer - sometimes, in cases like Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, with tragic effect
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