Diversity Awards I am delighted to have been named as an inspirational role model in this year's European Diversity Awards. Now is the time to open our elected political roles to all of the diverse leaders in our community; starting with the Greater London Assembly. Read on... Diverse Flexibility I have been asked many times during the past few months if I have plans to stand for election. Now the announcement has come from Frank Dobson M.P. that he intends to retire following a long career with the Labour Party, which means, of course, that there will be a selection process in my local area. So I feel the time is right to declare... #BAME, #Carers, #Disabilities, #Diversity, #Elections, #FlexibleWorking, #Governance, #Labour, #LondonAssembly, #Women Trades Union Congress LGBT Conference 2014 Speech in support of joint working within LGBT and disability groups. #Disability, #LGBT, #MentalHealth, #TradeUnion, #vawg, #ViolenceagainstWomen Are some children more equal than others? Sarah Boseley’s front page Guardian (3rd May 2014) article revealed “UK child death rate among worst in western Europe”. The piece goes on to express shock that “children in the UK are more likely to die before they reach their fifth birthday than in any other western European country except Malta”. The UK does particularly badly within the category known as ‘infant mortality’ - in the first six days of life and from one month to a year. Sarah Boseley reports the view of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the National Children’s Bureau, who agree that inequalities in UK society are to blame. In all categories reported deaths rise with socio-economic deprivation. Darkness into Light This morning’s walk from ‘Darkness into Light’ showed London’s Irish community at it’s best. Hundreds turned out, braving the heavy rain to support Pieta House, a charity dedicated to preventing suicide and self harm. In the process we sent a strong message to anyone in pain - “You do not walk alone”. International Workers' Memorial Day "FIFA must not allow the World cup to be played in blood stained stadiums" - UCATT "Give the red card to Qatar" - Unite the Union "Congratulations to electricians in their fight for PAYE" - Construction Safety Campaign "We can't rely on companies alone to manage health and safety" - London Hazards Centre Blacklisting, "Women in Construction", "Employee Ownership", Women, "Rape Crisis", "Trade Union", "Women's Hour", BBC, Radio, Interview BBC Radio 4 Women's Hour Interview with Jenni Murray. Evening Standard BBC, News, TV BBC Breakfast News Video of BBC Breakfast News Commentary #BBC Marriage Equality? How equal is equal marriage? England and Wales saw the first same-sex marriages take place over the weekend. This is the result of a hard fought campaign and is to be celebrated. However, it is not the end of the story, nor the end of the campaign for those of us who support equal marriage. We are either all equal or none of us are. #Gaelic, #Genderqueer, #Ireland, #IrishLanguage, #LGBT, #Marriage, #Trans, #Transgender Worker's rights "I'm not talking about giving workers a say. It's about workers having their say - rights not gifts…" The Times on Saturday #Newspaper, #Times The Times Exit Statement Following eight years with the Murphy Group, I have formally decided to exit the company, effective as of Wednesday 26th March 2014. #CAROLINEMURPHY, #Construction, #Exit Construction Blacklisting Construction workers create the very structures which enable society as we know it to function. Whether you’re walking your children across a footbridge to school, driving through a tunnel to work, or visiting a relative in hospital; your journey has been made possible through the hard work of a large number of dedicated construction trades. #Blacklisting, #CivilLiberties, #Construction, #TradeUnion Employee Ownership It makes sense that if you want to build engagement in your organisation, you must begin by building a culture that ignites the passions of your people. One of the most essential factors for igniting the energy, motivation and engagement that drives our economy is capturing the human spirit. #Business, #Co-operative, #EmployeeOwnership The Royal Courts of Justice: an imposing building, but will they impose an unjust ruling? Disabled people : discriminate against them, why not? This is day three of the Court of Appeal hearing against the bedroom tax. Monday morning began with a vigil outside the Royal Courts of Justice, supported by Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC), WinVisible, Taxpayers Against Poverty, Camden Association of Street Properties, the Anti Bedroom Tax and Benefit Justice Federation and others. So. Do we think there’s some hierarchy to mental illness? This is day three of the Court of Appeal hearing against the bedroom tax. Monday morning Sufferers of mental illness find different ways to ease the burden. Sufferers of mental illness find different ways to ease the burden. My preference is to seek out the mutual support found within a group living with similar issues. Many of the battles we fight to survive are fought by the sufferer alone. Any activity which widens that frame is a huge comfort & the thought of being able to offer solidarity to others makes it all the more worthwhile. #CivilLiberties, #MentalHealth, #ViolenceagainstWomen Victims surviving labels Speaking alongside London Mayor, Boris Johnson and Joan Smith (Co-chair of the Mayor of London’s VAWG Panel). There is an accepted definition of the term “victim”, which includes “someone who has come to feel helpless and passive in the face of misfortune or ill-treatment”. Women who have been raped are often called “rape victims”. #borisjohnson, #Calendar, #carolinemurphy, #Construction, #Events, #joansmith, #london, #rape, #vawg Vawg: let’s have the conversation From bicycles to tube-stations, housing to IQ, Boris Johnson attracts a lot of attention. I remain mindful of the range of opinion surrounding his decisions as Mayor, in particular the cuts affecting Fire Brigade Union & RMT members. As a woman who has experienced violence, I certainly feel safer using transport after dark when I know the stations will be staffed. #BorisJohnson, #carolinemurphy, #crime, #LGBT, #rape, #sexualviolence, #VAWG Mopac speech at city hall - 26th november 2013 Good Afternoon, as you have heard I am a Rape Crisis service user and campaigner to end violence against women. #carolinemurphy, #cityhall, #MOPAC, #rape, #VAWG, #violence, #women Survivor stigma It’s difficult to know where to start with a blog. This post will eventually sit at the bottom of a long scroll of posts. At some future stage, out of curiosity, someone might delve right back down here to find out how and where and why it all began. #blog, #borisjohnson, #carolinemurphy, #power, #rape PreviousLoad More Posts About caroline Respected commentator on mental health issues; on industry, industrial relations and business ethics; and on issues relating to Violence Against Women and Girls. 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