Harriet Wistrich, a notable human rights lawyer, shares her inspiring journey from filmmaker to legal advocate for women. She discusses her landmark victories, including representing women who killed their abusers. The conversation addresses systemic failures in protecting victims of violence and the emotional weight of cases like that of John Warboys. Harriet reflects on her upbringing and influences, while also highlighting the role of music in advocacy. She humorously imagines life on a desert island, paired with her love for white wine and literature.
Harriet Wistrich emphasizes the importance of landmark legal victories in transforming societal attitudes towards violence against women and systemic injustices.
She discusses the emotional challenges faced while advocating for women affected by domestic violence and the need for continued reform in the justice system.
Deep dives
Harriet Wistridge's Advocacy for Women's Rights
Harriet Wistridge is a prominent human rights lawyer who has spent over 25 years advocating for the rights of women and marginalized individuals. She has made significant contributions to landmark legal reforms, including the Sexual Offences Act and the Domestic Abuse Act, which address violence against women and systemic injustices. Her work started with the formation of the pressure group Justice for Women, which aimed to support women like Emma Humphreys, who was convicted of murder after killing her abusive pimp. Wistridge’s commitment stems from a belief that individual cases can lead to broader societal changes, and that legal victories provide vital support to survivors of violence.
Failures in the Criminal Justice System
Wistridge highlights the systemic failures of the criminal justice system in adequately protecting women from violence and abuse. She discusses the unfair treatment that women face, particularly in cases of domestic violence where the law often appears biased against them. One example she provides is the defense of provocation, which works for men who kill out of anger but not for women who act out of fear for their safety. The statistics she references indicate that violence against women is on the rise, yet many incidents go unreported, further emphasizing the flaws in the system and the urgent need for reform.
Personal Struggles and Triumphs
Throughout her career, Wistridge has faced personal challenges, including the emotional toll of representing clients who have suffered severe abuse and trauma. She recounts her experience working with women affected by domestic violence and the long-lasting impacts it has had on their lives. Her involvement in high-profile cases, such as that of Sally Challen, who killed her abusive husband, highlights the struggle to shift societal norms and legal practices regarding coercive control. Though victories in court are significant, Wistridge acknowledges that much work remains to be done to achieve lasting change for women facing abuse.
The Role of Music and Personal Influences
Music plays a vital role in Wistridge's life, providing an emotional outlet and connection to her activism. She shares stories of her early influences, including the powerful impact of music during feminist events and protests aimed at raising awareness for women's rights. Songs like Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive' resonate deeply with her work, embodying resilience in the face of adversity. Wistridge also attributes her strong sense of justice to her supportive parents, both of whom were involved in local politics, shaping her commitment to social change and advocacy for the oppressed.
Harriet Wistrich is one of the country’s most prominent human rights lawyers. In 2016 she founded the Centre for Women’s Justice and over the course of her career, she has won landmark victories in very difficult legal cases. She has helped women imprisoned after killing their abusers regain their freedom. She’s also represented women seeking justice from the Metropolitan Police over their deployment of undercover police officers who have had relationships and children with female activists.
After studying PPE at Oxford, Harriet moved to Liverpool and began her career working in film and documentaries. She retrained as a lawyer in her early thirties and in 1990 co-founded the pressure group Justice for Women.
Harriet lives in London with her partner, the journalist Julie Bindel.
DISC ONE: I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
DISC TWO: No Woman, No Cry (Live At The Rainbow Theatre, London / June 1, 1977) - Bob Marley and the Wailers
DISC THREE: Puff the Magic Dragon - Gregory Isaacs
DISC FOUR: Rumanian Freilach - Daniel Ahaviel
DISC FIVE: Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
DISC SIX: Ain’t Nobody - Chaka Khan
DISC SEVEN: Police And Thieves - Junior Murvin
DISC EIGHT: Shame Shame Shame - Shirley & Company
BOOK CHOICE: Middlemarch by George Eliot
LUXURY ITEM: A fridge with an endless supply of white wine
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Sarah Taylor
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