TheBlindJournalist: Population and Crime

An increase in population, a decrease in violent crimes. Why is this?

Since the previous census in 2001, there has been an increase in population and over the previous seven years, there has been a decrease in violent crimes.

Census 2011 figures from the Office for National Statistics show that there has been a rise in the population of England and Wales 3.7 million which is the biggest increase of population since records began in 1801.

In 2011\12 in England and Wales there was a population of 56.1 million compared to 52.4 million in 2001, this was an increase of 7.1%.

Why was there this increase?
Well, it is believed that some of the main reasons for the rise are that there is now an increased life expectancy, sustained immigration and robust fertility rates.

Crime Statistics England and Wales (CSEW) show the number of violent crimes have halved since their peak in 1995.

If we look at the amount of violent crimes since 1995 there is a big decrease in domestic violence at a 21% decrease. the possible reasons for a decrease in domestic violence could be the increase in media coverage of cases and police crackdown, scaring the abusers from committing this sickening crime.

These figures were from 2011\12 however the Home Office said:
"In September 2012, we announced that the definition of domestic violence would be widened to include those aged 16-17 and wording to reflect coercive control. The new definition will be implemented in March 2013."

This could suggest that in the upcoming years due to the change, there maybe an increase again for this category.
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Sources:

Guardian Data Blog – Population rises link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/16/england-wales-population-rises

Crime Statistics Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2013/feb/07/crime-statistics-england-wales-violent-sexual-offences#data

Home Office source link: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-girls/domestic-violence/ 

TheBlindJournalist: Living With A Disability

Having any form of disability is difficult as in some way or form you are disadvantaged to an able person. Disability means that it is difficult to carry out basic tasks whether your physically or mentally disabled. A fact of life is that you want to fit in with everyone and sadly if your disabled it does mean that you can not do this however I am not going to write all the disadvantages because from personal experiences and fellow disabled people I know we are all happy, we all accept the way we are and would not change ourselves. If you have a disability then don't worry as although you maybe disadvantaged in one area your excellent in another. Life is precious no matter what form of life that is. Accept what life throws at you, ignore what the world says and stay strong and be happy.

TheBlindJournalist: Gay Marriage

My blog is going to be about David Cameron's attempt to change the image of his party by extending the rights of those people who choose to be gay. However, Mr Cameron's attempts have failed which is shown by a YouGay poll. Over half of the conservative MP's voted against David Cameron's attempt to broaden the rights of homosexuals. The total number being 134 Tories voting against the Prime Minister. Even though the majority of his party voted against him Mr Cameron succeeded in making civil partnership marriages legal.

It is felt and thought that the only reason why Mr Cameron did this was to change and modernise the views that people have of the conservative party but the YouGay poll suggests that:

• Two thirds believe that the Conservatives are now a divided party
• Both supporters and opponents to the vote say the Conservative party is in a worse light than before the vote.

Many people have rightly said that the PM is redefining marriage. The commons vote was basically modernists versus traditionalists. Also a big question was why did the PM choose to bring up gay rights at this moment in time when they're are more important issues to deal with such as the economy.
Richard Hammond, Conservative MP said that "In 26 years as an MP, I never once got a letter calling for gay marriage"
Nonetheless this shouldn't be a problem for the Conservative party because there has been previous occasions where MP's have not backed the PM, an example of this is the EU referendom split in 2011 and nothing happened after that, the topic was forgotten so the likelihood is this split won't make a big difference or be a big issue for the Tories and the main question is that even if there was an issue who would replace Mr Cameron?

Simply, David Cameron's plan has come back to bite him on the ...

TheBlindJournalist: Retinitis Pigmentosa

About the eye illness which every 1 in 4000 people suffer from in the UK, Retinitis Pigmentosa. This is one of the eye conditions that I suffer from. I talk about some of my experiences and about pioneering surgery that took place in 2012. Apologies, I didn't realise the camera was that close to my face!