The experiences of women convicted of serious violence is under-researched. In probation practice, this translates into a corresponding lack of investment in offending behaviour programmes and interventions specifically focussed on working with women’s violence and its origins. The Female Offender Strategy (MoJ, 2018) promotes a trauma-informed and gender-responsive approach to working with women within the criminal justice system and highlights the importance of taking a specialist approach. Given the lack of research on which to base such an approach however, specifically in relation to women convicted of serious violence, the current study focussed on attempting to capture this perspective using qualitative semi-structured interviews with seven women convicted of serious violence.

This research explores the experiences of five women convicted of murder who have participated in the Democratic Therapeutic Community (DTC) intervention at HM Prison Send. The study aimed to understand the experience of changing sense of self and identity. A subsidiary aim is to understand the mechanisms that facilitated the reported change by paying attention to the participant’s subjective experience and the objective external constructs. This study employs the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. Participants who completed or partially completed the intervention reported positive changes relating to their sense of self, identity, and hopes for a crime-free future. However, participants described feeling overwhelmed during their participation and encountering numerous obstacles. Notably, participants reported that the positive change was not always identifiable until after they left the DTC. This study contributes insights into the distinctive contextual factors reflected in the women's experiences.

Incidence of trauma amongst women involved in the criminal justice system is significantly higher
than that of the general population and is regularly linked with women’s offending. In recent years
there has been growing interest in trauma-informed practice which seeks to recognise and respond
to the prevalence of trauma. This interest has spread to the criminal justice sector, with numerous
prisons, probation services and the third sector in the UK all experimenting with implementing
trauma-informed approaches. Contact with a legal professional is a common thread that runs
through many women’s journeys through the criminal justice system but, in the UK at least, has not
been explored as an area in which the aforementioned trauma-informed practices could be utilised.
Through hearing the voices of women that have worked with lawyers and the voices of lawyers
themselves, this study seeks to examine the extent to which trauma-informed approaches could be
usefully implemented at this ‘touchpoint’ in the criminal justice system and whether lawyers could
become part of the trauma-informed offer for women.

Throughout our careers, Probation staff have presented differing attitudes and approaches towards working with women. To some, it is actively avoided, and it is quite common to hear from practitioners that, ‘working with one woman is like working with ten men’. Yet to others, it is the part of the job they most enjoy. Whilst practitioners' attitudes towards working with people having certain convictions is well investigated (i.e. Lea, Auburn and Kibblewhite, 1999), the phenomenon of attitudes towards working with women is hardly discussed. This study sets out to fill this gap by investigating the self-reported reasons for these differing attitudes and understand whether they were based on personal beliefs or external factors that could be changed through a shift in the organisation. Employing a two-staged, mixed method approach, we first conducted a staff survey across the Midlands probation region and then spent time speaking with two teams of staff who work exclusively with women, in focus groups.

This research explores the testimonies of mothers who have experienced arguably two of the most extreme state interventions: a custodial sentence and the adoption of a child. Building on studies around maternal imprisonment and maternal rights, the research aims to explore protective factors for this group through a matricentric approach.

Findings are based on interviews with three birth mothers, two Probation Officers, two Social Workers, and five support workers and managers from various third sector agencies supporting women.

Though a small sample size, the findings show consensus among the Mothers and practitioners around the histories of trauma for birth mothers, where the removal of children then constituted a further trauma. Gender-specific approaches and therapeutic support are needed to break this cycle that can otherwise lead to involvement in both criminal and family courts, where poor interagency communication breaks down trust in professionals, acting as a barrier to mothers asking for support. Findings also identified the profound grief and loss experienced by the Mothers, and the hope (and likelihood) of future contact with birth children. Practitioners must think long-term, considering the effect that their words and the inclusion of recorded views of birth family may have on future reconciliatory relationships.

This research calls for a greater understanding of the impact of traumatic experiences on women in the criminal justice system, and for improved support for birth mothers, concluding with recommendations for improvements to both policy and practice.

My report aimed to explore how young women affected by youth violence face de-prioritisation, credibility judgment, and adultification, while examining why they feel disbelieved and powerless. It also highlights where these girls and young women found respect and belonging after experiencing marginalisation, and presents their views on peer groups, emphasising themes of coercive control and patriarchy.

I conducted a literature review and interviews with five women and two men who self-identified as having been affected by youth violence, and a policy and research manager for a national charity. I analysed the literature review and data collected to conclude with the following findings and recommendations.

Addressing the issue of girls and young women affected by youth violence feeling unheard and disbelieved is urgent. Incorporating lived experience experts in policing strategy and creating public scrutiny groups for violence against women and girls’ (VAWG) responses are essential. Interviewees emphasised the need for girls to feel respected and included in education, particularly during transitions and for those removed from mainstream schools. Integrating VAWG reduction into youth violence strategies is critical to avoid further marginalisation and to recognise the complexity of their experiences.

There has been a growing recognition of the devastating impact that custodial sentences disproportionately have on women and their children. Yet there is there is a striking gap in the research literature and policy discourse on the distinct challenges women face earlier in their criminal justice journey – particularly in the court system.

Judicial guidance in England and Wales acknowledges that the interests of justice are unlikely to be served by either party being late or distracted because of worries over childcare, and calls for caring responsibilities to be “accommodated as far as reasonably possible”. If this standard is not met in our courts, it is likely to have a disproportionate impact on women, who are the primary carer of 90% of UK families.

Through qualitative interviews with 12 women, this research seeks to examine the extent to which the caring responsibilities of women are accommodated “as far as reasonably possible”, and the impact this has on their ability to attend and engage with the court process, as either a defendant or a witness. While small-scale, this project is an important start to the conversation about the shape of reform needed for the women, and their children, who come through our courts.