Film:
Saint Omer (in select cinemas)

This incredible courtroom drama, inspired by a real-life case, uses long monologues and slow camera shots to cause an uncomfortable but fascinating viewing experience. The case follows a Senegalese woman living in Paris accused of killing her 15-month-old baby. The philosophy student Laurence is repeatedly called "articulate" in a tone of surprise, and a professor is confused by her decision not to study 'African philosophy.' As the viewer however, we are put in the shoes of a spectator, a journalist watching the trial to write a book, yet who ends up identifying with the defendant with increasingly unsettling force. Both of these central performances are electrifying and cause you to question the foundations of your morality.

STORY OF THE WEEK

The Labor Strikes in Britain Are Years in the Making

2023 is the perfect storm for labour strikes. And the cost of living crisis was just the tipping point.

To really understand why so many British workers are at a breaking point, you have to look back at a decade of austerity programs and social services cuts. The NHS, schools, rail and maritime services, firefighters, and police, have all suffered from lack of funds under the Conservative leadership. Brexit, Covid-19, and a cost-of-living crisis have of course amplified these issues.

However, economists have predicted this tipping point for years. Liam Stanley at the University of Sheffield says:

“The UK’s been quite dysfunctional for quite a long time."
The British economy has been on a steady decline, feeding the inequality rampant in our society.

PM Rishi Sunak has condemned strikers and moved to introduce legislation that would limit the right to strike. Productive negotiations seem a long way off as last week saw the largest mass movement of strikes in a decade, and they won’t be the last. Workers' icon, Mick Lynch, said in a speech on Wednesday: “This is the fight of our generation […] victory to the working people!”

Lynch promised further action in a speech at Westminster on Wednesday.

IN OTHER NEWS

Aim to Make It Easier to Change Gender in Wales

Wales are following a similar path to Scotland in easing the legislation around legally changing your gender, while England is quickly being left behind. This is part of a new wider LGBTQ+ Action Plan from Wales which also aims to ban all aspects of conversion therapy. However, the Welsh Parliament don't currently have the power to make their own gender recognition laws. They intend to "trigger" a request with the UK government in order to gain this power, though it seems unlikely it would be granted at this time. The Welsh government also plan to "initiate conversations" with the UK government over legal recognition for non-binary people. Will the UK continue to block progress towards greater equality?

Defendants of Colour More Likely to be Charged Than White People, Finds CPS Study

In a study commissioned by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), it was found that a huge 79.1% of defendants from mixed ethnicity backgrounds were charged, almost 10% higher than white British defendants. It also found Black defendants had a charge rate of 76.2% and Asian defendants 73.1%. White British suspects had the lowest charge rate: 69.9%.  

In response to the findings, the CPS has set up an independent advisory group to oversee further research into what causes this disparity. Prof Leslie Thomas KC has welcomed the research and commented “The good news is the CPS are aware that there is a problem.” 

‘Nothing Ready’ to Replace Britain’s Only Children’s Gender ID Clinic

Thirty years ago, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust was established to assist children and teenagers who are struggling with their gender identity. NHS England declared in July last year that the clinic would shut down by the spring of 2023 and be replaced by at least two regional care centres. However, just two weeks away from closure, a number of NHS doctors have claimed that this goal is currently unattainable. No workers have signed up to transfer, there is no training for other NHS employees, and the waiting lists are on hold. According to several experts involved in the transition, the centres may not even be built.

Women Can Reliably Remember If They Gave Sexual Consent When Intoxicated, New Study Suggests

A study has backed up what most women know: even when drunk, it is clear what constitutes sexual assault. 1.6 million adults aged between 16-74 have experienced sexual assault, yet the vast majority don't report it and moreover tend to think the police won't help or believe them. Indeed, a common form of victim-blaming is to discredit women's experiences due to intoxication, and in court it can be forcefully argued that the victim is merely misremembering the circumstances. In this groundbreaking study, researchers found that while alcohol can impair the formation of new memories, it doesn't effect the accuracy of the memories you do have.

WORK SPHERE

We're delighted to be working with NESFircroft at Diversifying Agencies! With over 100 offices around the globe, NES strive to nurture a diverse workforce and they recognise, respect and value the diverse nature of the wider society in which they operate. As leaders in the global energy industry, they're working hard to become true D&I leaders and continue to support their clients to achieve their diversity goals.

We're looking forward to embarking on this new journey with them. Find out more about NESFircroft and browse open roles at Diversifying Agencies. 

EVENT: Make a Career Change with Aldi

Do you have untapped potential? Have you been wondering what it would be like to take your career in a different direction? 

If you’re looking for an opportunity to revitalise your career, develop new skills and fulfil your potential, Aldi’s Area Manager Career Changer Programme is the perfect next step.


Register today to hear first-hand insight and tips.

‘I Was Told My Job Wasn’t Suitable for a Mum’

According to estimates, 54,000 new mothers lose their jobs each year. Nine out of ten times, new mothers are fired, made compulsorily redundant, or otherwise treated so harshly that they feel forced to leave. Some women have even reported being told that their role was inappropriate for someone with a child. Many women must deal with this threat to their career if they decide to start a family, and it is no doubt contributing to the stubborn gender pay gap. Many women in this situation are left with few options and feel helpless, forced to leave the labour market for many years or re-join at a lower level.