Take The Stand

Take The Stand
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • MONTHLY

Take The Stand - platforming the victim impact statements from people affected by violence and abuse. This podcast is for victim - survivors who reported violence or abuse to the criminal justice system. They were then encouraged to write all the impacts down in a Victim Impact Statement and then: - The Police forgot to give it to the prosecutor - The judge wouldn't allow the women to read it or only read a short section - Or the perpetrator was not brought to trial or found not guilty. These are the victim/survivor words, spoken themselves or by another woman of her choosing. This is a space which allows them to speak up and out. Episodes are released on a monthly basis.

Episodes

  1. Ep 6. Celine

    17 FEB

    Ep 6. Celine

    This conversation with Celine delves into family courts, supportive workplaces and growing within ourselves. What is a victim impact statement? After reporting violence or abuse to the criminal justice system, it's encouraged to write down all the impacts in a statement to read in court. The statement is meant to add to the evidence Judges use at sentencing. We've found the majority are never read aloud as intended, because: •⁠ ⁠The Police forgot to give it to the prosecutor •⁠ ⁠The Judge wouldn’t allow the victim to read it •⁠ ⁠The Judge only read a short section of it •⁠ ⁠The perpetrator was not brought to trial or found not guilty. This podcast is a space for victim-survivors to read them aloud for the very first time. Who we are Charlotte Schreurs, Founder of Open Justice for All. Open Justice for All is a collective of victim/survivors subjected to male violence. It's campaigning for free court transcripts, something currently worth thousands of pounds. Find more information at ⁠⁠⁠www.openjusticeforall.com⁠⁠⁠, or on X at @OpenJustice4All or Instagram: @OpenJusticeForAll Roda Hassan, Riverlight. Riverlight is a non-profit organisation based in London advocating for abuse survivors, human rights, and legal reform. Its work is centered on amplifying the voices of survivors, leading human rights campaigns, and producing research reports to drive legislative change. For more info visit:⁠⁠⁠www.riverlight.org.uk⁠⁠⁠ Dr Jane Osmond, Creative Optimistic Visions. Jane recently retired as an Assistant Professor at Coventry University. She is now the voluntary director of social enterprise, Creative Optimistic Visions. COV offers workshops and training to young people, and youth organisations, in protective behaviours and boosting confidence. For more info visit ⁠⁠https://www.creativeoptimisticvisions.co.uk⁠⁠ Dr Sarah Learmonth, Creative Optimistic Visions. Sarah formerly worked at Coventry Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Centre. She volunteers for COV (see above), and is now pursuing a PhD which is examining the myths and impacts of bail in rape cases. Martha Tipper, Journalist Martha is a multimedia journalist and producer, specialising in domestic and sexual violence reporting. To find out more, or to be a guest on the show visit: ⁠⁠https://www.riverlight.org.uk/takethestand⁠⁠ To support our podcast why not donate to the crowd funder to keep us running: ⁠⁠https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/takethestand⁠⁠ To contact us about anything else email: takethestand@gmail.com Notes We have not spoken to the perpetrator in question to verify the story as we are telling the story of the victim-survivor from their point of view. No steps have been taken to verify the story as we consider it important to put the victim/survivors voices out there to tell their story. Music by Romarecord1973 via⁠ Pixabay

    38 min

  2. 04/12/2025

    Ep 5. Daisy

    Take The Stand platforms the Victim Impact Statements from people affected by violence and abuse. This episode features Daisy. What is a victim impact statement? After reporting violence or abuse to the criminal justice system, it's encouraged to write down all the impacts in a statement to read in court. The statement is meant to add to the evidence Judges use at sentencing. We've found the majority are never read aloud as intended, because: •⁠ ⁠The Police forgot to give it to the prosecutor •⁠ ⁠The Judge wouldn’t allow the victim to read it •⁠ ⁠The Judge only read a short section of it •⁠ ⁠The perpetrator was not brought to trial or found not guilty. This podcast is a space for victim-survivors to read them aloud for the very first time. Daisy's Campaign NowVisible aims to end the silence surrounding people born from rape. You can find more information at ⁠https://www.nowvisible.org.uk/⁠. You can hear more about Daisy's story at ⁠https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0CN9P9DM6?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdp⁠ Who we are Charlotte Schreurs, Founder of Open Justice for All. Open Justice for All is a collective of victim/survivors subjected to male violence. It's campaigning for free court transcripts, something currently worth thousands of pounds. Find more information at ⁠⁠www.openjusticeforall.com⁠⁠, or on X at @OpenJustice4All or Instagram: @OpenJusticeForAll Roda Hassan, Riverlight. Riverlight is a non-profit organisation based in London advocating for abuse survivors, human rights, and legal reform. Its work is centered on amplifying the voices of survivors, leading human rights campaigns, and producing research reports to drive legislative change. For more info visit:⁠⁠www.riverlight.org.uk⁠⁠ Dr Jane Osmond, Creative Optimistic Visions. Jane recently retired as an Assistant Professor at Coventry University. She is now the voluntary director of social enterprise, Creative Optimistic Visions. COV offers workshops and training to young people, and youth organisations, in protective behaviours and boosting confidence. For more info visit ⁠https://www.creativeoptimisticvisions.co.uk⁠ Dr Sarah Learmonth, Creative Optimistic Visions. Sarah formerly worked at Coventry Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Centre. She volunteers for COV (see above), and is now pursuing a PhD which is examining the myths and impacts of bail in rape cases. Martha Tipper, Journalist Martha is a multimedia journalist and producer, specialising in domestic and sexual violence reporting. To find out more, or to be a guest on the show visit: ⁠https://www.riverlight.org.uk/takethestand⁠ To support our podcast why not donate to the crowd funder to keep us running: ⁠https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/takethestand⁠ To contact us about anything else email: takethestand@gmail.com Notes We have not spoken to the perpetrator in question to verify the story as we are telling the story of the victim-survivor from their point of view. No steps have been taken to verify the story as we consider it important to put the victim/survivors voices out there to tell their story. Music by Romarecord1973 via⁠ Pixabay

    39 min

  3. 19/09/2025

    Ep 4. Ruth

    Take The Stand platforms the Victim Impact Statements from people affected by violence and abuse. This episode features Ruth. What is a victim impact statement? After reporting violence or abuse to the criminal justice system, it's encouraged to write down all the impacts in a statement to read in court. The statement is meant to add to the evidence Judges use at sentencing. We've found the majority are never read aloud as intended, because: •⁠ ⁠The Police forgot to give it to the prosecutor •⁠ ⁠The Judge wouldn’t allow the victim to read it •⁠ ⁠The Judge only read a short section of it •⁠ ⁠The perpetrator was not brought to trial or found not guilty. This podcast is a space for victim-survivors to read them aloud for the very first time. Who we are We are all volunteers at a variety of organisations including: Charlotte Schreurs, Founder of Open Justice for All. Open Justice for All is a collective of victim/survivors subjected to male violence. It's campaigning for free court transcripts, something currently worth thousands of pounds. Find more information at ⁠www.openjusticeforall.com⁠, or on X at @OpenJustice4All or Instagram: @OpenJusticeForAll Roda Hassan, Riverlight. Riverlight is a non-profit organisation based in London advocating for abuse survivors, human rights, and legal reform. Its work is centered on amplifying the voices of survivors, leading human rights campaigns, and producing research reports to drive legislative change. For more info visit:⁠www.riverlight.org.uk⁠ Dr Jane Osmond, Creative Optimistic Visions. Jane recently retired as an Assistant Professor at Coventry University. She is now the voluntary director of social enterprise, Creative Optimistic Visions. COV offers workshops and training to young people, and youth organisations, in protective behaviours and boosting confidence. For more info visithttps://www.creativeoptimisticvisions.co.uk Dr Sarah Learmonth, Creative Optimistic Visions. Sarah formerly worked at Coventry Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Centre. She volunteers for COV (see above), and is now pursuing a PhD which is examining the myths and impacts of bail in rape cases. Martha Tipper, Journalist Martha is a multimedia journalist and producer, specialising in domestic and sexual violence reporting. To find out more, or to be a guest on the show visit: https://www.riverlight.org.uk/takethestand To support our podcast why not donate to the crowd funder to keep us running: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/takethestandTo contact us about anything else email: takethestand@gmail.com Notes We have not spoken to the perpetrator in question to verify the story as we are telling the story of the victim-survivor from their point of view. No steps have been taken to verify the story as we consider it important to put the victim/survivors voices out there to tell their story. Music by Romarecord1973 via⁠ Pixabay

    24 min

  4. 18/08/2025

    Ep 3. Zoe

    19 August 2025 Season 1, Episode 3 Take The Stand platforms the victim impact statements from people affected by violence and abuse. We're speaking to victim-survivors who reported violence or abuse to the criminal justice system. After reporting, it's encouraged to write all the impacts down in a Victim Impact Statement to read in court. However in these cases: - The Police forgot to give it to the prosecutor - The judge wouldn’t allow the victim to read it - The judge only read a short section of it - Or the perpetrator was not brought to trial or found not guilty. Who we are The Take the Stand podcast was founded after a group of UK women survivors realised that victims of rape and serious sexual offences were being asked by the police and CPS to write victim impact statements (VIS) that adds to the evidence judges use at sentencing, only to find that the majority are never read aloud, as intended. Our podcast gives people subjected to abuse the opportunity to read their statement aloud, themselves, for the very first time and talk briefly about their experience leading up to court and, just as importantly, discuss their feelings afterwards. We are all volunteers at a variety of organisations including: Charlotte Schreurs, Open Justice for All . We are a collective of victim/survivors who have been subjected to male violence and who were told they would be charged thousands of pounds to read their court transcripts. Find more information at ⁠www.openjusticeforall.com⁠, or on X at @OpenJustice4All or Instagram:@OpenJusticeForAll Roda Hassan, Riverlight. Riverlight is a non-profit organisation based in London advocating for abuse survivors, human rights, and legal reform. Their work is centered on amplifying the voices of survivors, leading human rights campaigns, and producing research reports to drive legislative change. For more info visit:⁠www.riverlight.org.uk⁠ Dr Jane Osmond, Creative Optimistic Visions. Jane recently retired as an Assistant Professor at Coventry University, and is currently voluntary director/chair of Creative Optimistic Visions, a social enterprise company. COV offers workshops and training to promote protective behaviours to organisations that support young people, as well as working directly with young people looking to boost their confidence. For more info visithttps://www.creativeoptimisticvisions.co.uk Dr Sarah Learmonth, formerly worked at Coventry Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Centre, and, as well at volunteering for Creative Optimisting Visions (see above), is now pursuing a PhD which is examining the myths and impacts of bail in rape cases. Martha Tipper is a radio journalist and producer, specialising in domestic and sexual violence reporting. To find out more, or to be a guest on the show visit:https://www.riverlight.org.uk/takethestand To support our podcast why not donate to the crowd funder to keep us running: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/takethestandTo contact us about anything else email: takethestand@gmail.com Notes We have not spoken to the perpetrator in question to verify the story as we are telling the story of the victim-survivor from their point of view . No steps have been taken to verify the story as we consider it important to put the victim/survivors voices out thereto tell their story. Music by Romarecord1973 via⁠Pixabay

    1h 4m

  5. 20/07/2025

    Ep 2. Louise

    21 July 2025 Season 1, Episode 2 Take The Stand platforms the victim impact statements from people affected by violence and abuse. We're speaking to victim-survivors who reported violence or abuse to the criminal justice system. After reporting, it's encouraged to write all the impacts down in a Victim Impact Statement to read in court. However in these cases: - The Police forgot to give it to the prosecutor - The judge wouldn’t allow the victim to read it - The judge only read a short section of it - Or the perpetrator was not brought to trial or found not guilty. Who we are The Take the Stand podcast was founded after a group of UK women survivors realised that victims of rape and serious sexual offences were being asked by the police and CPS to write victim impact statements (VIS) that adds to the evidence judges use at sentencing, only to find that the majority are never read aloud, as intended. Our podcast gives people subjected to abuse the opportunity to read their statement aloud, themselves, for the very first time and talk briefly about their experience leading up to court and, just as importantly, discuss their feelings afterwards. We are all volunteers at a variety of organisations including: Charlotte Schreurs, Open Justice for All . We are a collective of victim/survivors who have been subjected to male violence and who were told they would be charged thousands of pounds to read their court transcripts. Find more information at ⁠www.openjusticeforall.com⁠, or on X at @OpenJustice4All or Instagram:@OpenJusticeForAll Roda Hassan, Riverlight. Riverlight is a non-profit organisation based in London advocating for abuse survivors, human rights, and legal reform. Their work is centered on amplifying the voices of survivors, leading human rights campaigns, and producing research reports to drive legislative change. For more info visit:⁠www.riverlight.org.uk⁠ Dr Jane Osmond, Creative Optimistic Visions. Jane recently retired as an Assistant Professor at Coventry University, and is currently voluntary director/chair of Creative Optimistic Visions, a social enterprise company. COV offers workshops and training to promote protective behaviours to organisations that support young people, as well as working directly with young people looking to boost their confidence. For more info visithttps://www.creativeoptimisticvisions.co.uk Dr Sarah Learmonth, formerly worked at Coventry Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Centre, and, as well at volunteering for Creative Optimisting Visions (see above), is now pursuing a PhD which is examining the myths and impacts of bail in rape cases. Martha Tipper is a radio journalist and producer, specialising in domestic and sexual violence reporting. To find out more, or to be a guest on the show visit:https://www.riverlight.org.uk/takethestand To support our podcast why not donate to the crowd funder to keep us running: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/takethestandTo contact us about anything else email: takethestand@gmail.com Notes We have not spoken to the perpetrator in question to verify the story as we are telling the story of the victim-survivor from their point of view . No steps have been taken to verify the story as we consider it important to put the victim/survivors voices out thereto tell their story. Music by Romarecord1973 via⁠Pixabay

    18 min

  6. 22/06/2025

    Ep 1. Juliana

    Take The Stand - platforming the victim impact statements from people affected by violence and abuse. This podcast is specifically for victim - survivors who reported violence or abuse to the criminal justice system. They were then encouraged to write all the impacts down in a Victim Impact Statement and then: - The Police forgot to give it to the prosecutor - The judge wouldn’t allow the women to read it - Or only read a short section - Or the perpetrator was not brought to trial or found not guilty. These are the victim/survivor words, spoken themselves or by another woman of her choosing. This is a space which allows them to speak up and out. Today’s episode features - Juliana Who we are The Take the Stand podcast was founded after a group of UK women survivors realised that victims of rape and serious sexual offences were being asked by the police and CPS to write victim impact statements (VIS) that add to the evidence judges use at sentencing, only to find that the majority are never read aloud, as intended. Our podcast gives people subjected to abuse the opportunity to read their statement aloud, themselves, for the very first time and talk briefly about their experience leading up to court and, just as importantly, discuss their feelings afterwards. We are all volunteers at a variety of organisations including: Charlotte Schreurs, Open Justice for All . We are a collective of victim/survivors who have been subjected to male violence and who were told they would be charged thousands of pounds to read their court transcripts. Find more information at www.openjusticeforall.com, or on X at @OpenJustice4All or Instagram: @OpenJusticeForAll Roda Hassan, Riverlight . Riverlight is a non-profit organisation based in London advocating for abuse survivors, human rights, and legal reform. Their work is Centered on amplifying the voices of survivors, leading human rights campaigns, and producing research reports to drive legislative change. For more info visit :www.riverlight.org.uk Dr Jane Osmond, Creative Optimistic Visions. Jane recently retired as an Assistant Professor at Coventry University, and is currently voluntary director/chair of Creative Optimistic Visions, a social enterprise company. COV offers workshops and training to promote protective behaviours to organisations that support young people, as well as working directly with young people looking to boost their confidence. For more info visit https://www.creativeoptimisticvisions.co.uk Dr Sarah Learmonth, formerly worked at Coventry Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Centre, and, as well at volunteering for Creative Optimisting Visions (see above), is now pursuing a PhD which is examining the myths and impacts of bail in rape cases. To find out more, or to be a guest on the show visit: https://www.riverlight.org.uk/takethestand To support our podcast why not donate to the crowd funder to keep us running: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/takethestand To contact us about anything else email: takethestand@gmail.com Notes We have not spoken to the perpetrator in question to verify the story as we are telling the story of the victim-survivor from their point of view . No steps have been taken to verify the story as we consider it important to put the victim/survivors voices out there to tell their story. Music by Romarecord1973 via Pixabay

    26 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Take The Stand - platforming the victim impact statements from people affected by violence and abuse. This podcast is for victim - survivors who reported violence or abuse to the criminal justice system. They were then encouraged to write all the impacts down in a Victim Impact Statement and then: - The Police forgot to give it to the prosecutor - The judge wouldn't allow the women to read it or only read a short section - Or the perpetrator was not brought to trial or found not guilty. These are the victim/survivor words, spoken themselves or by another woman of her choosing. This is a space which allows them to speak up and out. Episodes are released on a monthly basis.

Information

  • Creator
    Take The Stand
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Take The Stand