Spokeswoman for now-defunct housing charity Eaves for Women. Gave evidence strongly supporting the principle of freedom of expression but also expressed her concern that such freedom did not always match up to the high ideals of journalism.
Director of Equality Now, who has spearheaded several campaigns, including for the creation of a United Nations Working Group to focus on ending discrimination against women in law and in practice. Gave evidence to the Inquiry about the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and that Committee's concern about the "lack of positive media portrayals of ethnic minority, elderly women and women with disabilities".
Executive Director of Imkaan, a UK-based black and minority ethnic women's organisation, at time of Inquiry. Imkaan aimed to prevent and respond to violence against marginalised girls and women. Larasi also co-chaired the End Violence Against Women Coalition, which became a registered charity in 2015. She asked the press to avoid reproducing attitudes which condoned violence against women and girls.
Chief Executive Officer of Object, a human-rights organisation set up to challenge the sexual objectification of women and girls in the media. Heeswijk argued that the Inquiry had a unique opportunity to put the hyper-sexualisation of women on the reform agenda.
Barrister and lecturer, married to former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and patron of The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. In 2013, Blair was awarded damages for her claims against News of the World in relation to the unlawful interception of her voicemails. Had raised a number of complaints over the years with publications such as the Daily Mail about inaccurate and invasive reporting, evidence of which was presented to the Inquiry.
