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Silenced Women

Why The Law Fails Women and How to Fight Back

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About this listen

 'INCREDIBLE. If you read anything this year, make sure it's this.' -DAISY MAY COOPER

'Compelling... brilliant but shaming.' CHERIE BLAIR, KC

'Crucial reading for any person wanting to fight against all forms of gendered abuse.' JESS PHILLIPS, MP

'This book is another brick through the windows of our legal systems: a brilliant, trenchant analysis of what is wrong with the law.' HELENA KENNEDY, KC

'A clear-eyed and damning indictment of the criminal justice system.... the writing is engaging and gripping.' IRISH TIMES

We are in a crucial moment: women are breaking through the cultural reticence around gender-based violence. But just as survivors have begun to feel empowered to speak out, a new form of systematic silencing has made itself more evident: rich and powerful men are using teams of lawyers to suppress allegations and prevent newspaper stories from running. Individual women, advocacy groups and journalists find themselves fighting against censorship.

The law is being wielded to reinforce the status quo of silence that existed before #MeToo.

If women cannot speak about their abuse ­- and journalists are fearful of telling their stories - then how can we understand the problem of gender-based violence in our society? And how can we even begin to end it?

In How Many More Women? internationally-acclaimed human rights lawyers, Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida, examine the broken systems and explore the changes needed in order to ensure that women's freedom, including their freedom of speech, is no longer threatened by the laws that are supposed to protect them. Gender Studies Law Social Sciences Thought-Provoking Human Rights Crime

Critic reviews

'The cases that come to court hold up a mirror that reflects what is going on in our societies. Two brilliant lawyers, experts in their field use these compelling cases to show us that despite all the campaigns and rhetoric this is still a world made by men for men. I hope this books encourages all who want a society where women have equal respect and equal power to accelerate our efforts to ensure that the next generation are not still writing brilliant but shaming books like this one.' (Lady Cherie Blair KC)
'A stunning book; as vital as it is compelling. A powerful warning about how the justice system can be used to silence women, and why urgent change is needed: a must-read for women and allies alike.' (Harriet Johnson)
'The nature of law is that it is made and secured by those who have power, which is why women are are still battering at its doors. This book is another brick through the windows of our legal systems: a brilliant, trenchant analysis of what is wrong with the law.' (Baroness Helena Kennedy KC)
'This is an urgent and important book. Women's rights can only be secured and defended if women are able to speak their truth without fear of harassment and intimidation. How Many More Women highlights how the law itself censors women and why we urgently need radical change of these systems and in those who oversee them.' (Jodie Ginsberg, President of Committee to Protect Journalists)
'In forensic detail with real cases, Robinson and Yoshida show how far the law is trailing behind the zeitgeist of MeToo. The sheer scale of the problem is shocking - if you are a woman who likes to express your views, you need to read this book. If anyone can change things, in court or through the pages of this powerful book, it is these two fearless feminist lawyers.' (Dr Susie Alegre)
'Witty, gritty, insightful and true, this book is essential reading for all women. Robinson and Yoshida lay down the law, on law, in an accessible way, giving us the ammunition we need, not just to protect ourselves, but to go out there and win.' (Kathy Lette)
'The oppression of women is a many-headed beast - commonly, as we defeat some, others emerge. How Many More Women? lifts the lid on the way the law is weaponised to silence women from speaking out about the violence and abuse they suffer. It is crucial reading for any person wanting to fight against all forms of gendered abuse.' (Jess Phillips MP)
All stars
Most relevant
Full of legal and political analysis of the law on NDAs, right to free speech and defamation. Easy to listen to, although I did end up buying a hardback copy as wanted to go back and reread some of the chapters and stats. Also been inspired to continue research and reading in this area

In-depth analysis of the law on NDAs, right to free speech and defamation

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As a woman who escaped domestic abuse only to be further gaslighted and abused by the UK family courts, and then experienced the trauma of my abuser awarded full custody of our young children, despite a criminal conviction, this book hit home and made ne realise there is an endemic issue across the world, I have since discovered that many other women have had their children handed over to their abuser, leaving them feeling shocked and powerless, as do I.

The scandal of the 21st Century

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