I take hope from….
by Sara Forrest, Commission Member
I take hope from the millions of quiet conversations that take place around the world where people listen to each other and generate ways to improve the lives of their communities, especially for those who are struggling the most. I am sure that the majority of such conversations go unreported on socials and news media.
Yet when I look at BBC News or read a newspaper or listen to the radio I see a different picture. This morning there was talk of the very high number of people signing an on-line petition to keep the two men in jail for the manslaughter of PC Harper in jail rather giving them access to the next round of early releases. In connection with that, I have heard several discussions about the categories of prisoners that will be released and the statistics about their chances of re-offending. Sadly, domestic abusers and sexual predators will be eligible for earlier release even though their re-offending rates are high. It would seem that the decision was made based on the number of places that could be freed up rather than the risk posed to the vulnerable?
This Government has a Minister for Women and Equalities. I also take hope from the raised profile of the need to reduce and eliminate gender based violence since the first appointment was made. As a woman, it seems to me that we need both to protect our women and girls and our Police, emergency services and other public servants who we empower to act in our name. As such the likelihood of re-offending should factor in early release decisions.
Recent statistics have also shown that on average across the UK people are getting younger when their health starts to fail despite the extra money invested in the NHS. Most reporting is on the length of waiting lists which seems to be where money is being spent. I understand that there is an increased focus on improving public health. I take hope from the questions asked in a poll I completed that asked me to rate whether we should fund dentistry to ensure that most people can maintain functional teeth or fewer people have straight white teeth. I opted for the functional teeth. I hope that influences where investment in NHS dentistry is going.
As a country we face enormous challenges from the influence of big tech firms whose platforms are designed to generate advertising income. It is clear from recent USA Court Cases claiming damages for the harms done when the platform design accentuates negative posts that, particularly for young people, mis-inform and mislead. However such findings are always appealed.
I take hope from that fact that Governments around the world, including ours, are taking action to force the platform designs to reduce harmful content. Surely the aim has to be on safer design? As a teenager I placed more weight on what my friends said than anyone else, so a ban on access to harmful content until the age of 16 isn’t the full answer.
We have much to be thankful for and hopeful about.
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