READERS will recently have heard or read about the move by the Government to curb the rights of alleged sex attackers to question their victims in court. Under common law, dating back centuries, defendants have had the right to call witnesses and address the jury.

Under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976, this allowed women to be cross-examined in detail about their sexual history.

The case regarding Julie Mason, subjected to six days of cross-examination at the Old Bailey by the man who had raped her, was first discussed and debated at club level in March by members of the Business and Professional Women's Club UK Ltd.

At the annual general meeting, held in Bristol in April, it was proposed that a motion be sent to the Government urging them to review the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

It was, therefore, gratifying to note that a women's organisation can have some say in changing existing policy, this being borne out by a letter received from the Home Office in June, assuring us that action would be taken as soon as possible.

We are a non-political organisation whose aim is to encourage women to take an active part in public life and decision-making at all levels.

DOREEN A RAWSTRON (President, Burnley and Pendleside Business and Professional Women's Club), Burnley Road, Cliviger, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.