Why is our criminal justice system so bad at protecting women from violence? Reporting from the heart of the courtroom, this book sees barrister Harriet Johnson dissect the problems in our policing, laws and culture. How can we hold the police accountable, take stalking seriously and make justice a reality for sexual assault survivors? This is an unforgettable case for change and a clear plan of how we can make it happen. • A VITAL MANIFESTO ON A TOPIC WE ALL CARE DEEPLY ABOUT. There has been a swell of rage, sadness and demand for change in the past year, with Sarah Everard's murder and the police response—particularly in light of Wayne Couzens' role as a police officer—a catalyst. • EXPERT PERSPECTIVE FROM WITHIN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. Harriet works on high-profile criminal cases, currently a barrister at the prestigious Doughty Street Chambers. Recently she has represented the parents of Shana Grice, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend after police ignored her complaints of stalking and Kirstine Holst, the Danish journalist whose campaign to change rape laws in Denmark includes an application to the European Court of Human Rights. • TALKING HEAD ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. Harriet has been a keynote speaker across the legal world for years now, and a fierce advocate on women's rights. In recent months, she has appeared on the likes of BBC Newsnight and BBC Women's Hour. • PERSUASIVE, PUNCHY STRUCTURE. This very short book is written in three parts. In (1), she briefly outlines the appalling landscape of abuse so there can be no doubt of the need for change. In (2), she addresses the problems with the ways the criminal justice system works for women. In (3), she assesses why the problems exist and how to change them—fixing the police, fixing the courts, fixing public perception. The writing is perceptive and focused on facts—but it draws on case studies too.
