Latest news with #Libby
Scottish Sun
15-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Mum of murdered Libby Squire slams ‘legal loophole' that allows pervs to dodge sex register & says lives would be saved
Libby Squire's mother has campaigned for victims of non-contact offences for years PURE EVIL Mum of murdered Libby Squire slams 'legal loophole' that allows pervs to dodge sex register & says lives would be saved Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE mother of a 21-year-old student who was murdered by a vile sex offender has slammed a ridiculous legal loophole that allows pervs to dodge the sex offenders register. Lisa Squire's daughter Libby was killed in Hull in 2019 by a prolific sex offender leaving Lisa heartbroken. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Her daughter was tragically killed in 2019 by vile Pawel Relowicz Credit: ITV 5 Lisa was left shocked to discover sexual offenders could avoid the register Credit: PA Lisa was horrified to learn that men who commit indecent exposure can avoid being put on the sex offenders register. The loophole that prevents pervs from being put on the register means those who commit indecent exposure can avoid being monitored by police. Pawel Relowicz, the vile sex offender who murdered Libby, had a history of indecent exposure. Evil police officer Wayne Couzens who murdered Sarah Everard in 2021 also had a history of indecent exposure. Ministers have been pushing for stronger legislation with mounting evidence showing those who commit indecent exposure go on to commit violent offences. A landmark Bill making sure offenders can't slip through the net is set to make its way back through the commons. Libby's mother, Lisa, branded the Bill Libby's Law Part One and told The Mirror: "It's a perfect legacy for Libby. "Her death was so preventable, it shouldn't have happened, but she's making a difference. "If we can learn from her death that's perfect, it makes it a bit less senseless." Current laws require prosecutors to prove an offender caused alarm or distress with their actions to get a conviction for exposure. I felt guilty for not making my daughter report indecent exposure - it could've saved her life, says Libby Squire's mum Commonly offenders are charged with outraging public decency instead which does not result in them being added to the sex offenders register and allows them to dodge police monitoring. Soon after Libby's killer Relowicz was arrested Lisa was told by cops that he had a history of committing sexual offences. The evil killer plead guilty to nine sexual offences unrelated to Libby's murder, including voyeurism and outraging public decency. Lisa said: "If more people had come forward and reported their experiences, and if police had been able to join the dots there might have been a different situation." Since the horror loss of her daughter Lisa has campaigned for victims to report non-contact sex offences to police, saying doing so will prevent more cases like her daughter's. 5 Lisa has urged victims to report non-contact offences 5 Libby was killed by a vile repeat sex offender Credit: PA:Press Association The distraught mum was shocked to learn that offenders charged with outraging public decency can avoid being put on the register. She said: "I never even imagined that they wouldn't be. When I found out they weren't I thought it was ridiculous. These are people that we should be watching." Lisa has demanded compulsory treatment programmes to stop those charged with indecent exposure's behaviour escalating to more violent crimes and called for jail terms for those convicted of non-contact sex offences like exposure and voyeurism. She reportedly believes her daughters death could have been prevented if more serious action was taken against vile Relowicz at an earlier stage. Lisa believes that lives could be saved with the loophole closed and has campaigned tirelessly to make that a reality. The Mirror reveal data showing the number of indecent exposure cases reported to police has skyrocketed since 2019. Data from 37 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales show a 15% rise in five years, while arrests have gone up by around 35%. Dame Diana Johnson, Labour's Policing Minister, told MPs last year that in five years almost 250 men found guilty of indecent exposure were later found guilty of rape. She told the Commons: "Indecent exposure and non-contact sexual offences are gateway crimes that are still not taken seriously enough." The Home Office has now commissioned research into the link between non-contact sex offences and more violent crimes. A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman said: 'Sexual exposure is an incredibly serious crime which can be invasive and distressing for victims. "We have been working hard to improve our response to sexual exposure and other non-contact sexual offences." Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'Exposure is a degrading and cowardly crime, which can often escalate into serious offending. "We're strengthening the law to bolster protection for victims, meaning offenders with a broader range of motivations, such as the intention to cause humiliation or for the purpose of sexual gratification, can be prosecuted - and added to the sex offender register where necessary. 'I am grateful to Libby's family, and other victims and survivors, who have bravely campaigned for change in this area.'
The Irish Sun
15-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Mum of murdered Libby Squire slams ‘legal loophole' that allows pervs to dodge sex register & says lives would be saved
THE mother of a 21-year-old student who was murdered by a vile sex offender has slammed a ridiculous legal loophole that allows pervs to dodge the sex offenders register. Lisa Squire's daughter Advertisement 5 Her daughter was tragically killed in 2019 by vile Pawel Relowicz Credit: ITV 5 Lisa was left shocked to discover sexual offenders could avoid the register Credit: PA Lisa was horrified to learn that men who commit indecent exposure can avoid being put on the The loophole that prevents pervs from being put on the register means those who commit indecent exposure can avoid being monitored by police. Pawel Relowicz, the vile sex offender who murdered Libby, had a history of Evil police officer Wayne Couzens who murdered Sarah Everard in 2021 also had a history of indecent exposure. Advertisement Read more in News Ministers have been pushing for stronger legislation with mounting evidence showing those who commit indecent exposure go on to commit A landmark Bill making sure offenders can't slip through the net is set to make its way back through the commons. Libby's mother, Lisa, branded the Bill Libby's Law Part One and told "Her death was so preventable, it shouldn't have happened, but she's making a difference. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Live Blog "If we can learn from her death that's perfect, it makes it a bit less senseless." Current laws require prosecutors to prove an offender caused alarm or distress with their actions to get a I felt guilty for not making my daughter report indecent exposure - it could've saved her life, says Libby Squire's mum Commonly offenders are charged with outraging public decency instead which does not result in them being added to the sex offenders register and allows them to dodge police monitoring. Soon after Libby's killer Advertisement The evil killer plead guilty to nine sexual offences unrelated to Libby's murder, including voyeurism and outraging public decency. Lisa said: "If more people had come forward and reported their experiences, and if Since the horror loss of her daughter Lisa has campaigned for victims to report non-contact sex offences to police, saying doing so will prevent more cases like her daughter's. 5 Lisa has urged victims to report non-contact offences Advertisement 5 Libby was killed by a vile repeat sex offender Credit: PA:Press Association The distraught mum was shocked to learn that offenders charged with outraging public decency can avoid being put on the register. She said: "I never even imagined that they wouldn't be. When I found out they weren't I thought it was ridiculous. These are people that we should be watching." Lisa has demanded compulsory treatment programmes to stop those charged with indecent exposure's behaviour escalating to more violent crimes and called for jail terms for those convicted of non-contact sex offences like exposure and voyeurism. Advertisement She reportedly believes her daughters death could have been prevented if more serious action was taken against vile Relowicz at an earlier stage. Lisa believes that lives could be saved with the loophole closed and has campaigned tirelessly to make that a reality. Data from 37 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales show a 15% rise in five years, while arrests have gone up by around 35%. Advertisement Dame Diana Johnson, Labour's Policing Minister, told MPs last year that in five years almost 250 men found guilty of indecent exposure were later found guilty of rape. She told the Commons: "Indecent exposure and non-contact sexual offences are gateway crimes that are still not taken seriously enough." The Home Office has now commissioned research into the link between non-contact A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman said: 'Sexual exposure is an incredibly serious crime which can be invasive and distressing for victims. Advertisement "We have been working hard to improve our response to sexual exposure and other Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'Exposure is a degrading and cowardly crime, which can often escalate into serious offending. "We're strengthening the law to bolster protection for victims, meaning offenders with a broader range of motivations, such as the intention to cause humiliation or for the purpose of sexual gratification, can be prosecuted - and added to the 'I am grateful to Libby's family, and other victims and survivors, who have bravely campaigned for change in this area.' Advertisement 5 Lisa has campaigned to protect victims for years Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
'My daughter's murder was preventable - ridiculous loophole needs closing'
Libby Squire's mum, Lisa Squire, she was horrified to learn men who commit indecent exposure often avoid being put on the sex offenders register because of a legal loophole The mum of a 21-year-old student murdered by a prolific sex offender says lives will be saved when a "ridiculous" legal loophole is finally closed. Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby was killed in 2019, said she was horrified to learn men who commit indecent exposure often avoid being put on the sex offenders register - meaning they dodge monitoring by police. Ministers voiced their outrage at the outdated legislation amid growing evidence those responsible for such acts can go on to commit violent offences including rape and murder. Libby's killer Pawel Relowicz had a history of indecent exposure, as did evil cop Wayne Couzins, who murdered Sarah Everard in 2021. This week a landmark Bill making sure offenders do not slip through the net will return to the Commons. Lisa, who branded the change 'Libby's Law part one', said: 'It's a perfect legacy for Libby. Her death was so preventable, it shouldn't have happened, but she's making a difference. If we can learn from her death that's perfect, it makes it a bit less senseless." Under current law, prosecutors need to prove someone aimed to cause "alarm or distress" to get a conviction for exposure. As a result, offenders may instead be charged with outraging public decency - which requires at least two potential witnesses and does not result in being added to the register. Lisa said: "I never even imagined that they wouldn't be. When I found out they weren't I thought it was ridiculous. These are people that we should be watching." Announcing the Government will change the law, Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'Exposure is a degrading and cowardly crime, which can often escalate into serious offending. We're strengthening the law to bolster protection for victims, meaning offenders with a broader range of motivations, such as the intention to cause humiliation or for the purpose of sexual gratification, can be prosecuted - and added to the sex offender register where necessary. 'I am grateful to Libby's family, and other victims and survivors, who have bravely campaigned for change in this area.' Lisa has called for jail terms for those convicted of non-contact sex offences like exposure and voyeurism. She has also demanded compulsory treatment programmes to stop their behaviour escalating. She believes her daughter's death could have been prevented if tougher action was taken against her killer at an earlier stage. Since the horrific tragedy in Hull, Lisa has campaigned for victims to report all non-contact sex offences to police. Doing so will prevent more cases like Libby's, she said. Figures uncovered by The Mirror reveal the number of indecent exposure cases reported to police has soared since 2019. Data from 37 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales show a 15% rise in five years, while arrests have gone up by around 35%. "It's certainly better than it was, the previous figures were appalling," said Lisa, who is now training as a counsellor to help survivors of sex offences. I'm really pleased that people are reporting it and they're being taken seriously." Soon after Relowicz was arrested, Lisa was told he had a history of committing sexual offences. He went on to plead guilty to nine sexual offences unrelated to Libby's murder, including voyeurism and outraging public decency. "If more people had come forward and reported their experiences, and if police had been able to join the dots there might have been a different situation," Lisa said. Last year Dame Diana Johnson, now Labour's Policing Minister, told MPs that in five years almost 250 men found guilty of indecent exposure were subsequently found guilty of rape. She told the Commons: "Indecent exposure and non-contact sexual offences are gateway crimes that are still not taken seriously enough." Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that there were 8,878 indecent exposure cases reported to police in 2024, resulting in 1,894 arrests. In 2019 there were 7,696 from the same forces, with 1,405 arrests. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) said the rise in reports could indicate "growing awareness" after being "historically under-reported and trivialised". She said: "Indecent exposure is deeply harmful in its own right, but can also be part of a pattern of offending that can include rape and murder. It must be taken seriously by the justice system." The Home Office has commissioned research into the link between non-contact sex offences and violent crimes. This was a key recommendation of the Angiolini Inquiry, which focused on Ms Everard's murder. In the first part of her report published last year, Dame Elish Angiolini found investigations into indecent exposure were "poor" and treated as "low-level". She called for improvements in the way police pursue reports, as well as study into the link between non-contact offences and violent attacks. A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman said: 'Sexual exposure is an incredibly serious crime which can be invasive and distressing for victims. We have been working hard to improve our response to sexual exposure and other non-contact sexual offences." He said victims must know that cases are taken "extremely seriously", with enhanced training rolled out to officers. A Home Office spokeswoman said: "This government is committed to halving violence against women and girls in the next decade. We recognise the devastating impact non-contact sexual offences can have on victims and that there is further to go to ensure people have the confidence to report these offences. "That's why we are fundamentally reviewing the police's response to offences such as exposure and have committed to strengthening their training on violence against women and girls. We have also supported the development of a new training programme on non-contact sexual offences to ensure victims trust they will be taken seriously when they report these offences."
Chicago Tribune
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Biblioracle: The Institute of Museum and Library Service may lose funding. Here's why that's important.
A couple of weeks ago, for the first time in her life, Mrs. Biblioracle got a library card. The impetus for the choice was a tip from her book club that you can listen to audiobooks for free (something possible through services like Libby and Overdrive), but once a member, she was introduced to additional benefits, including free access to the New York Times, which meant we no longer had to fight over the Wordle. Of course, there are numerous other benefits, including admission to county parks and some local museums. You can check out a computer if yours is on the fritz. You can book a meeting room or get any book you can think of through interlibrary loan. Also, telescopes. You can check out a honking big telescope. The reason why Mrs. Biblioracle did not previously have a library card should be obvious: Her partner (me) has enough books in the house to stock a small, but robust library. By virtue of a previous academic appointment, I maintain access to an institutional academic library covering my needs. Even though Mrs. Biblioracle and I have not been directly interacting with our public library all that much, we remain staunch supporters and believers in libraries as vital parts of a functioning, shared, thriving society. Unfortunately, there is a significant threat to not just libraries but public museums in the currently proposed federal budget, which aims to almost zero-out something called the Institute of Museum and Library Service. The IMLS had already been a casualty of the Department of Government Efficiency cuts back in March, cuts which were halted at least temporarily after state attorneys general sued and temporary restraining orders were issued. But the proposed 2026 budget obviates those suits, reducing IMLS funding from $313 million to $6 million. The number of things that the IMLS does is almost impossible to list. They give grants that make institutions such as zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and, of course, libraries capable of providing programming to the public. In some cases, these grants are the difference between being able to keep the doors open and not existing. The IMLS is also home to the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, which provides for the training and development of library professionals and working archivists. In recent years, the IMLS has also been at the forefront of investigating the 'digital divide' and increasing access to broadband services for poor and rural communities. They provide a literal line to the online world. While $313 million may seem like a lot, this amount is literally spread across all 50 states and more than 150,000 libraries and museums. As Kelly Jensen points out, writing at Book Riot, this amount is 0.005% of the overall federal budget. I'm going to confess that until recently, I had no idea the IMLS existed because why would I? This is one of the innumerable governmental bodies that churns away doing stuff Congress has decided is worth funding, allowing for things like visits from authors to libraries or new exhibits at museums to happen. It's impossible to know which institutions might be threatened with closure, but every institution's operations would undoubtedly be degraded. This budget proposal is exactly that, a proposal. I hope it doesn't come to fruition, and it's a reminder to maybe be a bit more aware of how different interconnected systems work to provide services and opportunities I've come to take for granted. As Joni Mitchell once said, 'Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you got 'til it's gone.' John Warner is the author of books including 'More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI.' You can find him at Book recommendations from the Biblioracle John Warner tells you what to read based on the last five books you've read. 1. 'The One and Only Ivan' by Katherine Applegate 2. 'Mad Honey' by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan 3. 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik 4. 'In This Grave Hour' by Jacqueline Winspear 5. 'Life Sentences' by Billy O'CallaghanAlways pleased to find a good occasion to recommend this book by Chicago writer Kathleen Rooney: 'Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk.' 1. 'Honor' by Thrity Umrigar 2. 'The Sellout' by Paul Beatty 3. 'James' by Percival Everett 4. 'Heat and Light' by Jennifer Haigh 5. 'High Dive' by Jonathan LeeI think 'Chain-Gang All-Stars' by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah will be an exciting read for Kathleen. 1. 'Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road' by Neil Peart 2. 'My Effin' Life' by Geddy Lee 3. 'The Wide, Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook' by Hampton Sides 4. 'In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jennette' by Hampton Sides 5. 'The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom' by Larry LoftisI've got just the book for Cliff, a story of seafaring and history: 'Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II' by Robert Kurson. Get a reading from the Biblioracle Send a list of the last five books you've read and your hometown to biblioracle@
Toronto Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
SUNshine Girl Libby
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Full Screen is not supported on this browser version. You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen. SUNshine Girl Libby is an animal-loving Gemini who likes dancing, cheerleading, bird watching and Zumba. Libby returns from this February 2020 photoshoot. (Toronto Sun) This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
