As a number of recent cases have shown, the provision at present, although meant as an exceptional exercise, is being routinely abused by defence lawyers keen to tarnish the reputation of the complainant, effectively arguing that, the greater number of consensual sexual encounters s/he engages in, the less possibility there is of s/he being raped. The constant misuse of the provision is resulting in many miscarriages of justice, and, more importantly, is creating the impression among many victims of sexual assault that pursuit of justice will not only prove fruitless but further victimise and humiliate them.

Animals such as monkeys, meerkats, reptiles and turtles are wild animals who belong in their natural habitat, not in cages and glass tanks in somebody’s home. Over 1000 species of mammals, birds, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and fish are bred and captured for the exotic pet trade, and it is our argument that the complex social, physical and behavioural needs of these animals cannot be met other than in their natural habitats. Furthermore, there is strong evidence linking the trade in exotic animals with habitat destruction and the extinction of species in the wild. In tandem with the suffering of such animals in transit - including many documented deaths - young animals can grow into dangerous adults which can become unmanageable in domestic environments not conducive to satisfying their welfare needs for increased space and food. As mentioned in the petition above, a similar campaign was launched in Scotland by the charity One Kind to great effect. With the backing of RSPCA, PDSA, Animal Welfare Party, Captured Animals Protection Society, Four Paws, Wild Futures, Born Free Foundation, plus a host of other significant organizations, the Scottish campaign instigated a review of Scottish Government policy, with the debate centering on the introduction of a Positive List System, which would permit for the keeping of an exotic pet only if its suitability to life in private ownership were incontrovertibly assessed by such a system using clear, transparent and evidence based criteria collated on species conservation, the dangers of invasive disease, ease of good husbandry - including proof of appropriate knowledge of needs and care - and the clear availability of care guidelines, and enforcement measures. In order to ascertain the exact number of licenses issued by local authorities in Wales I contacted all 22 councils. At the time of this petition's submission I have received replies from exactly half of these, making the number of licenses issued by local authorities to exotic pet shops so far 68. This number, of course, does not include internet sites, whether separate to or part of the pet shops mentioned. Thus, it is clear that thousands of exotic animals are being traded in Wales. The welfare of such animals is a matter for public concern, and I believe a debate should take place about the propriety of such a trade in Wales. Fundamental to any overview must be the suitability of wild reptiles and large birds to lives as exotic pets, and the regulating of standards for their care, with the ultimate objective of ending the trade in such species altogether. Please help us to end this vile trade in Wales by signing this petition. It doesn't matter where you are, your signature will help show the Government of Wales the strength of feeling against the capture, importation, breeding, and sale of wild animals in Wales.

PERSONAL PRIVACY: The Digital Economy Bill currently before Parliament will introduce compulsory age verification without guaranteeing privacy protections for subscribers. This omission risks users’ personal details and private sexual preferences being exploited for commercial gain and/or leaked into the public domain. SEXUAL FREEDOM: Consensual adult sex should not be outlawed, yet this Bill will prohibit the publication of depictions of sexual activities that are legal to perform. This Bill imposes a financial burden on free, amateur and niche commercial websites, affecting sexual minorities by denying them from freely expressing their sexuality.

We want to see positive change for all children to develop and by nurtured by both parents and their respective families after divorce and or separation. Help us challenge for Change.

To allow anyone or any corporation to have the power to steal and make its own governance shows weakness and untrustworthiness in the powers that are meant to uphold the moral and financial status of our democracy. Restore some faith and decency in our society by taking a stand against bullying tactics and tax dodging corporations. If a man or woman in the street committed these atrocities, they would be arrested, investigated, stripped of all their worth and jailed. The duality of responsibility is reprehensible and must be addressed! The public must make a stand or we are accepting oppression!

Fourteen prisons in England and Wales, most of which hold short-term inmates, have reconviction rates of more than 70%, Ministry of Justice figures disclosed today reveal.

I believe that every person, even those who are serving prison sentences, have the right to play their part in deciding the future of the country by voting in national and local elections. Denying people in prisons the right to vote serves no purpose of deterrence or reform. Britain's blanket ban on prisoners voting dates back to the Forfeiture Act of 1870, and is out of date and out of step with the majority of European countries. Allowing people in prison to vote would do nothing to undermine public safety, and would do no harm to anyone or anything. I see it as an important part in the process of preparation for eventual release and reintegration into society. It is about dignity, and the principle that in a democracy everybody counts. Just now our own country is experiencing a rise in homophobic and hate crimes, our prisons are dangerously overcrowded and understaffed, and levels of re offending are alarmingly high. Britain's closest ally is moving into unknown territory as Donald Trump prepares to take the Presidency and bring in his agenda of descrimination and isolationism. The world waits with bated breath. There has never been a time when it has been more important to promote good will, peace and tolerance. Every small act that benefits another person helps to bring our world into balance again, and to restore the security we so need. Some folk say that when someone has turned his back on society by committing a crime worthy of imprisonment, then he should forfeit the right to engage in the voting system of that society. But I argue that the punishment given out by the court is the sentence he/she serves, and society should not extend it by excluding that person further. We have no right to further punish our prison inmates. Rather we should be encouraging engagement with society. And every move to make life better for someone is another small contribution to a better world. We need less vindictiveness and more tolerance in the way we treat our prison population, and I so strongly believe that allowing people in prison to vote is one small step in that direction.

Because there can be no right in a world where hospitals are filled with civilian casualties from towns turned into warzones, where parents dig their murdered children from the rubble of their homes, where neighbourhoods resemble scenes from history books and those who should be protecting them are actively contributing to the wholesale destruction of life.

Residents of Brunswick and Regency wards have been reporting disturbing levels of antisocial behavior, noise, criminal damage and violence all with one common theme: alcohol. The Council and Police have a duty of care to safeguard all in our community from the damaging effects of alcohol misuse and antisocial behaviour.

The current system of creating money through the sale of ever increasing layers of debt, and now, the BofE operating an unaccountable balance sheet which defies principle or prudence, is plumbing the depths of fantasy economics, is unsustainable in nature. It is starting to resemble a listing pirate ship liable to sink at any moment. Only Sound money can deliver a reduction of inequality, a sustainable future for the environment and the next generation and re-establish trust in government, creating a new united kingdom that everyone can believe in.

While we welcome action against anti-social behaviour, Sunderland city council’s proposals for new Public Space Protection Orders seem to be focused on the persecution of homeless individuals. This is particularly apparent in the plans to stop ‘bin raking’. It is a disgrace that in one of the world’s richest countries people need to feed themselves, or make a living, from the contents of public waste bins. Imposing fines on these individuals, and those who beg on our city’s streets, would be pointless and counter-productive. It would serve only to distress the individuals concerned and increase the work and, therefore, the cost of police, community workers and the CPS. We appeal to Sunderland City Council to reconsider these plans and to take steps to address the underlying problems of homelessness, poverty and substance dependence. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/beggars-could-face-fines-under-new-sunderland-plans-1-8139928

Department for Transport figures show that a driver impaired or distracted by their phone was a contributory factor in 492 accidents in Britain in 2014, including 21 that were fatal and 84 classed as serious. (BBC, 2016) AA statistics also suggest that up to a third of UK drivers use their phone while driving. But despite the widespread nature of the problem, and the danger it places other road users in, drivers can be caught twice before even going to court and through legal loopholes can still maintain their license at this stage. Lee Martin was killed by a driver using their phone at the wheel whilst out cycling. The man who killed him had at least 6 previous convictions for using a phone at the wheel but had managed to keep his driving license. Had the authorities been tougher and taken away his license then Lee Martin would not have died. Using a phone whilst driving sends out a clear message that you believe that your call is more important than somebody else's life. If people with that level of arrogance are on our roads, they need to be prevented from getting behind the wheel.