Jessica Benton
@jessbenton.bsky.social
27 🇬🇧 - she/her - first year PhD International Criminal Law and justice for disabled persons, Leeds Beckett. Former local gov officer and disability support worker. Fiery, proud, angry and no longer ashamed
Pinned
Jessica Benton
@jessbenton.bsky.social
· Jan 15
So I’m going to start posting on here basically as a #phd liveblog and in hopes of connecting with other students, scholars within & beyond my field! Hopefully bit less intimidating than LinkedIn 😅
Outside of Ph.D, I love punk/goth subculture, music, makeup, fashion, performing arts & history 👋
Outside of Ph.D, I love punk/goth subculture, music, makeup, fashion, performing arts & history 👋
Reposted by Jessica Benton
Scholasticide in Gaza: A Need for Recognition of Systematic Educational Destruction as Genocidal
opiniojuris.org/2025/07/23/s...
opiniojuris.org/2025/07/23/s...
Scholasticide in Gaza: A Need for Recognition of Systematic Educational Destruction as Genocidal
[Kate May is an LLM international human rights law and practice student at the University of York] As Palestinian scholar Nabulsi warned over ten years ago, “Israel is seeking to annihilate an educ…
opiniojuris.org
July 24, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Scholasticide in Gaza: A Need for Recognition of Systematic Educational Destruction as Genocidal
opiniojuris.org/2025/07/23/s...
opiniojuris.org/2025/07/23/s...
Reposted by Jessica Benton
In 2025, you can watch a genocide live. It’s entirely right the media should report on Israel’s mass murder of Palestinians but “live feeds” sums up the horror: the world watches fellow human beings starve as those with power do nothing.
July 23, 2025 at 10:58 AM
In 2025, you can watch a genocide live. It’s entirely right the media should report on Israel’s mass murder of Palestinians but “live feeds” sums up the horror: the world watches fellow human beings starve as those with power do nothing.
Reposted by Jessica Benton
Care Homes were put under 'intense pressure' to 'make their contribution' by admitting covid-positive patients from the NHS.
Important evidence today at the Covid Inquiry from Cathie Williams on behalf of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.
Important evidence today at the Covid Inquiry from Cathie Williams on behalf of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.
July 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Care Homes were put under 'intense pressure' to 'make their contribution' by admitting covid-positive patients from the NHS.
Important evidence today at the Covid Inquiry from Cathie Williams on behalf of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.
Important evidence today at the Covid Inquiry from Cathie Williams on behalf of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.
Reposted by Jessica Benton
Today I was told that if I can’t at least cook simple meals for myself I should be institutionalized.
That people on disability should not be allowed to access “luxuries” like food delivery services because they’re unhealthy and expensive.
This is eugenics. 🧵
Feeding oneself is literal survival
That people on disability should not be allowed to access “luxuries” like food delivery services because they’re unhealthy and expensive.
This is eugenics. 🧵
Feeding oneself is literal survival
July 23, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Today I was told that if I can’t at least cook simple meals for myself I should be institutionalized.
That people on disability should not be allowed to access “luxuries” like food delivery services because they’re unhealthy and expensive.
This is eugenics. 🧵
Feeding oneself is literal survival
That people on disability should not be allowed to access “luxuries” like food delivery services because they’re unhealthy and expensive.
This is eugenics. 🧵
Feeding oneself is literal survival
Reposted by Jessica Benton
#DisabilityPrideMonth spotlight: Councillor Steve Darling MP used his lived experience to transform council culture in Torbay. By working with Disabled colleagues, they reduced barriers for staff & councillors.
Read the full case study:
www.local.gov.uk/case-studies...
Read the full case study:
www.local.gov.uk/case-studies...
July 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
#DisabilityPrideMonth spotlight: Councillor Steve Darling MP used his lived experience to transform council culture in Torbay. By working with Disabled colleagues, they reduced barriers for staff & councillors.
Read the full case study:
www.local.gov.uk/case-studies...
Read the full case study:
www.local.gov.uk/case-studies...
Am I now arriving at the fabled part of the PhD where it seems you can’t do anything right? 😭 but I keep pressing on bc I’ve fought so hard to get here even if ppl don’t see it. Your reminder that disabled #PhD are probably grappling with more than you see. For me that’s trauma, finance and health
July 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Am I now arriving at the fabled part of the PhD where it seems you can’t do anything right? 😭 but I keep pressing on bc I’ve fought so hard to get here even if ppl don’t see it. Your reminder that disabled #PhD are probably grappling with more than you see. For me that’s trauma, finance and health
I’m proud to have contributed to this zine particularly drawing on resistance to eugenics and eugenics itself as a tool for suppressing dissent. My contributions focus on hidden history of disabled persons resistance against Nazis & how eugenics was (is) used to suppress black resistance in the US
NEW RELEASE : Eugenics?! Zine
Free here: files.libcom.org/files/2025-0...
More free zines:
linktr.ee/disabilityark
Free here: files.libcom.org/files/2025-0...
More free zines:
linktr.ee/disabilityark
July 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I’m proud to have contributed to this zine particularly drawing on resistance to eugenics and eugenics itself as a tool for suppressing dissent. My contributions focus on hidden history of disabled persons resistance against Nazis & how eugenics was (is) used to suppress black resistance in the US
Reposted by Jessica Benton
#Disability Day of Mourning remembers disabled people murdered by caregivers. But, all too often that caregiver is the state. If we sanitise murders by individuals as a ‘mercy’ how can we prosecute state officials for facilitating murder of disabled people? ICL scholars should think of that #PhD
March 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
#Disability Day of Mourning remembers disabled people murdered by caregivers. But, all too often that caregiver is the state. If we sanitise murders by individuals as a ‘mercy’ how can we prosecute state officials for facilitating murder of disabled people? ICL scholars should think of that #PhD
Reposted by Jessica Benton
Disabled people should not be obligated to make our expressions of our oppression ‘nice’ or palatable to those oppressing or upholding the power to oppress #PhD #LocalGov #DisabilityRights
Also thinking about a colleague also working in equality, when I expressed lack of frustration about local gov employer’s apathy about disabled employees issues, telling me I needed to make it more appealing - that speaking about just negatives wasn’t very ‘sexy’ #DisabilityRights #LocalGov
May 3, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Disabled people should not be obligated to make our expressions of our oppression ‘nice’ or palatable to those oppressing or upholding the power to oppress #PhD #LocalGov #DisabilityRights
International criminal justice can and should be part of the conversation around the democide of disabled in the UK. Cuts bringing about our deaths are shown to be used to fund genocide of Palestinians. The UN has called out the UK yet again for policies which may cause death and suffering +
July 9, 2025 at 9:55 AM
International criminal justice can and should be part of the conversation around the democide of disabled in the UK. Cuts bringing about our deaths are shown to be used to fund genocide of Palestinians. The UN has called out the UK yet again for policies which may cause death and suffering +
Reposted by Jessica Benton
Love to disabled people today.
Whatever happens, whatever our Democidal MPs vote... We won't give up fighting for the basic rights and support everyone deserves
Whatever happens, whatever our Democidal MPs vote... We won't give up fighting for the basic rights and support everyone deserves
July 9, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Love to disabled people today.
Whatever happens, whatever our Democidal MPs vote... We won't give up fighting for the basic rights and support everyone deserves
Whatever happens, whatever our Democidal MPs vote... We won't give up fighting for the basic rights and support everyone deserves
Vital listening as the gov now prepares to go after disabled children’s rights to education next
📻 Looking forward to hearing our writer Simon Jarrett on R4 today at 3.30pm - talking about the history of learning disabilities.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed, Learning Disabilities
From cruel jibes to institutional care, a history of people with learning disabilities.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Vital listening as the gov now prepares to go after disabled children’s rights to education next
Reposted by Jessica Benton
The Doctrine of Intertemporal Law and the Challenge of Decolonising the Law on Territorial and Boundary Issues in Africa: Gabon/Equatorial Guinea at the ICJ | by Christopher Nyinevi and Yohannes Eneyew Ayalew
The Doctrine of Intertemporal Law and the Challenge of Decolonising the Law on Territorial and Boundary Issues in Africa: Gabon/Equatorial Guinea at the ICJ
Introduction On 19 May 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered judgment in Land and Maritime Delimitation and Sovereignty over Islands (Gabon/Equatorial Guinea). The Court relied on a...
www.ejiltalk.org
July 8, 2025 at 10:56 AM
The Doctrine of Intertemporal Law and the Challenge of Decolonising the Law on Territorial and Boundary Issues in Africa: Gabon/Equatorial Guinea at the ICJ | by Christopher Nyinevi and Yohannes Eneyew Ayalew
Reposted by Jessica Benton
📅Tomorrow is the final vote of the Government's disastrous Universal Credit Bill
Crips Against Cuts have created this MP email template - let's flood their inboxes and do everything in our power to make this vote fail tomorrow! #BinUCBill
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Crips Against Cuts have created this MP email template - let's flood their inboxes and do everything in our power to make this vote fail tomorrow! #BinUCBill
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#BinUCBill Template Letter to MP's
DO NOT EDIT THIS DOCUMENT DIRECTLY! How to use this document: Copy and paste the text below into a new document. Then input your info into the below fields. You can send the entire email, or you can ...
docs.google.com
July 8, 2025 at 11:44 AM
📅Tomorrow is the final vote of the Government's disastrous Universal Credit Bill
Crips Against Cuts have created this MP email template - let's flood their inboxes and do everything in our power to make this vote fail tomorrow! #BinUCBill
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Crips Against Cuts have created this MP email template - let's flood their inboxes and do everything in our power to make this vote fail tomorrow! #BinUCBill
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Jessica Benton
I know everyone is exhausted, but if you can possibly bear it, please pop on this link, copy and paste the email, and get it sent to your MP today.
There’s a link here + MP address:
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
#BinUCBill
There’s a link here + MP address:
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
#BinUCBill
July 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I know everyone is exhausted, but if you can possibly bear it, please pop on this link, copy and paste the email, and get it sent to your MP today.
There’s a link here + MP address:
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
#BinUCBill
There’s a link here + MP address:
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
#BinUCBill
Fascism returned with a red tie
We have had a report saying two women walking up to a protest today at BAe Samlesbury were stopped by Lancashire Police and advised to remove their t-shirts that say 'Free Palestine', as it may "breach the proscription order".
And so it begins.
And so it begins.
July 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Fascism returned with a red tie
Reposted by Jessica Benton
Closing soon! Looking for contributions to Star Trek & Disability part 2, only 120-350 words. Please reach out if interested.
July 5, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Closing soon! Looking for contributions to Star Trek & Disability part 2, only 120-350 words. Please reach out if interested.
Think I’m just gonna embrace the chaotic energy that comes from me crashing out so hard over years I decided to do a PhD and move away from everyone I know about it. Politics/Law PhDers we need to start meeting chaos with chaos
July 5, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Think I’m just gonna embrace the chaotic energy that comes from me crashing out so hard over years I decided to do a PhD and move away from everyone I know about it. Politics/Law PhDers we need to start meeting chaos with chaos
If this was speech about any other demographic there’s be outrage and posts everywhere including from intl law and human rights academia. Do disabled people not matter?
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/gb-news-says...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/gb-news-says...
GB News says it has nothing to apologise for, after guest suggests starving disabled benefit claimants
A British news channel has said it has nothing to apologise for after a right-wing commentator and comedian suggested the best way to cut the number of disabled people claiming benefits was to star…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
July 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
If this was speech about any other demographic there’s be outrage and posts everywhere including from intl law and human rights academia. Do disabled people not matter?
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/gb-news-says...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/gb-news-says...
This what I mean when I say crime against humanity and democide
The Inquiry has heard more disturbing evidence about a blanket 'do not resuscitate' policy for anybody over 70 in care homes.
Letters were sent by GPs, "essentially telling people that they will be left to die".
#CovidInquiry
Letters were sent by GPs, "essentially telling people that they will be left to die".
#CovidInquiry
July 3, 2025 at 2:59 PM
This what I mean when I say crime against humanity and democide
Reposted by Jessica Benton
The COVID pandemic’s forgotten legacy: a rising tide of disability
While political debate intensifies over DWP welfare costs, a quieter crisis grows in plain sight after the COVID pandemic
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
While political debate intensifies over DWP welfare costs, a quieter crisis grows in plain sight after the COVID pandemic
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
The COVID pandemic’s forgotten legacy: a rising tide of disability
While political debate intensifies over rising DWP welfare costs, a quieter crisis grows in plain sight after the COVID pandemic
www.thecanary.co
July 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The COVID pandemic’s forgotten legacy: a rising tide of disability
While political debate intensifies over DWP welfare costs, a quieter crisis grows in plain sight after the COVID pandemic
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
While political debate intensifies over DWP welfare costs, a quieter crisis grows in plain sight after the COVID pandemic
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
No democide, no genocide
Rachel Reeves crying is not the story.
Bob Vylan is not the story.
Spray Paint on RAF planes is not the story.
The story is the continued democide of disabled people in the UK which is also being used to fund and arm genocide of Palestinians.
Bob Vylan is not the story.
Spray Paint on RAF planes is not the story.
The story is the continued democide of disabled people in the UK which is also being used to fund and arm genocide of Palestinians.
July 3, 2025 at 2:28 PM
No democide, no genocide
Rachel Reeves crying is not the story.
Bob Vylan is not the story.
Spray Paint on RAF planes is not the story.
The story is the continued democide of disabled people in the UK which is also being used to fund and arm genocide of Palestinians.
Bob Vylan is not the story.
Spray Paint on RAF planes is not the story.
The story is the continued democide of disabled people in the UK which is also being used to fund and arm genocide of Palestinians.
July 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Rachel Reeves crying is not the story.
Bob Vylan is not the story.
Spray Paint on RAF planes is not the story.
The story is the continued democide of disabled people in the UK which is also being used to fund and arm genocide of Palestinians.
Bob Vylan is not the story.
Spray Paint on RAF planes is not the story.
The story is the continued democide of disabled people in the UK which is also being used to fund and arm genocide of Palestinians.
Reposted by Jessica Benton
We refuse to let co-production be co-opted. It is a complicated and unique process that involves the centring of Disabled voices and experiences - not as a tick box exercise, but making our experiences central to decision making.
Some food for thought this #CoProWeek2025
Some food for thought this #CoProWeek2025
July 3, 2025 at 12:43 PM
We refuse to let co-production be co-opted. It is a complicated and unique process that involves the centring of Disabled voices and experiences - not as a tick box exercise, but making our experiences central to decision making.
Some food for thought this #CoProWeek2025
Some food for thought this #CoProWeek2025