Press Release: 17 March 2009
Race on the Agenda (ROTA) launched it's London Councils funded Transformative Justice Project (TJP) on March 11th 2009 at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The launch focussed on the 10 year anniversary of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, with high profile speakers including Trevor Phillips, Chair of the EHRC, Dru Sharpling, Chief Crown Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Doreen Lawrence, mother of the late Stephen Lawrence. In attendance were representatives from the statutory, private and third sectors, working in the area of criminal justice.
'The TJP will build upon the work that has been done over the past 10 years since the Inquiry and encourage a cross sector, multi-agency approach to ensure that there is joined up working and information sharing between the statutory and third sectors when it comes to tackling issues such as hate crime and using restorative justice. I am delighted that so many people who have been the initiators of change over the past 10 years have joined us today in supporting the launch of the project'.
Dr Theo Gavrielides, Chief Executive ROTA
ROTA's 4 year Transformative Justice Project builds upon on the recommendations from the two year Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and EHRC funded Restoring Relationships Project. The Transformative Justice Project will be delivered through a cross-sector, multi-agency partnership steered by a Forum chaired by CPS London, and consisting of members such as Metropolitan Police Service, ACPO, Probation, NACRO, Victim Support and others. Despite progress, institutional racism within the criminal justice system, the issue of over-representation and concerns such as the use of the Stop and Search Powers remain unaddressed. Evidence from our work suggests that these gaps will be better addressed through genuine partnership models between agencies and sectors. This is the key objective of the Transformative Justice Project.
'…there is still a mountain of work to do to tackle racial prejudice. Stephens murder didn't mark the end of racist violence… and I think that the TJP as it is being projected will work to create a new environment for victims and families of hate crime, something that we really need today'.
VTrevor Phillps, EHRC Chair
'The time is right for change, don't let this opportunity pass you by, cling to it with both hands'
Doreen Lawrence
For more information on the Transformative Justice Project and the Forum which accompanies it please visit www.rota.org.uk or contact Pavan Dhaliwal at pavan@rota.org.uk, tel 020 7729 1310 or Theo Gavrielides on theo@rota.org.uk, tel 07850 523 336.
Ends.