General News
Newswire – OBV: Operation Black Vote’s research, into the power of the Black Vote, has shown that there are 113 seats up & down the country in which the BME voting-age population is bigger than the 2005 notional majority. Although 54 of these seats would be considered as very marginal seats, due to the, 'Clegg' factor during this election campaign, OBV claim that all 113 (plus others) could be won or lost by an active BME voter.
ScotGov: Scotland's first helpline for men suffering from domestic abuse went live last week. Trained advisors are staffing the Men's Advice Line - 0808 801 0327 - providing practical advice & emotional support to men who are abused by their partners. Information is also available about specialist services that can offer support on legal, housing, child contact and mental health issues.
Over 7,000 men in Scotland reported being abused by a partner last year. In 14% of cases of domestic abuse reported to the police, a male victim reports suffering abuse from a female partner. People worried about male friends or family and frontline workers can also call the helpline for advice. A separate arm of the helpline, called Respect, will provide advice to anyone who is worried that their own behaviour is becoming abusive.
Newswire: The new Parliament will be summoned to meet on Tuesday 18 May 2010, when the business will be the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of members. The State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech will follow on Tuesday 25 May.
CEOP: Some media have sought clarification about the outcome of CEOP’s meeting with Facebook which it was hoped would lead to improved child protection on the site. Facebook contacted CEOP to explain that, having discussed the issues at their Californian headquarters, they could not come to an agreement to adopt or test the adoption of the CEOP button. This is a disappointing response following what was an open & honest meeting on Monday 12th April at their Washington DC offices.
CEOP believe that Facebook is missing the point. This is not about Facebook and CEOP: this is about child protection. That’s why their call for the Click CEOP button on every profile page is supported by leading charities. CEOP will continue to urge Facebook and others to adopt our reporting process and in the meantime will look at other ways in which they can increase the safety of young people in online environments.
TS – CAB: National charity Citizens Advice has signed up to the Time to Change campaign, pledging to do more to support staff, volunteers & clients with mental health problems. Time to Change is a programme to end the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, and to improve the nation’s wellbeing.