Contributions to Activist Literature and Third Sector Reports

This is a book that I wrote with the help of three amazing volunteers at AIMS: Emma Ashworth, Shane Ridley and Virginia Hatton. It explores a range of issues including the biomedical approach to birth, obstetric violence and gaps in the medical evidence base. It challenges arguments about the so called ‘normal birth’ versus caesarean birth debate and advocates for a woman/person-centred approach where health carers listen to the needs of individuals. It is aimed at parents to be and birth workers and is available on the AIMS’ website.

In 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur investigated the abuse of women during childbirth. With a team of volunteers, we put together a response on behalf of AIMS which outlined the problem of obstetric violence in the UK.

The pandemic motivated some women to consider freebirthing their babies. Consequently, the RCM published a briefing sheet for midwives on the subject. With a small team of volunteers, we presented an AIMS’ response.

This publication is somewhat different to my usual research into women’s birthing experiences. In this report I analyse statistics pertaining to homicides of people via strangulation, suffocation, asphyxiation and smothering. I highlight how three quarters of victims are female and that the vast majority of perpetrators are men. The report provides detail on a variety of factors including place of homicide, demographics of victims and assailants, and criminal justice outcomes for perpetrators. The publication was reported in the media.

This publication was an analysis of Domestic Homicide Reviews concerning cases in which people had been killed via suffocation or smothering. Domestic Homicide Reviews take place after every death caused by domestic violence. The publication outlines relevant cases and notes patterns within the homicides and the way in which they were investigated and documented. The full report can be accssed by clicking ‘Read More.’