Women in justice

We work to implement gender-specific responses for women in the justice system

Women make up a small proportion of our justice system but report higher needs related to mental health, substance use, debt, housing, and trauma, including domestic and sexual abuse. We work to implement gender-specific responses for women in the justice system, especially around violence against women and girls. This includes supporting practitioners to deliver gender-responsive interventions and victim services, trauma-informed practice and ensuring policy change recognises the distinct needs of women and girls. For practitioners who would like support with this, please see our how we can help page.

Publications

Briefing
The Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA): An Evidence and Practice Briefing

by Lydia Clark, Stephen Whitehead, and Suzanne Smith

The Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) is a gender-responsive, trauma-informed assessment tool designed specifically for use with criminal justice-involved women. Initially developed in the US to address the limitations of traditional assessment tools, it is currently used across England and Wales by women's centres involved in the Effective Women's Centres Partnership.
Financial analysis
Women’s problem-solving courts: A financial analysis

This research provides a financial analysis of problem solving courts for women in comparison to the costs of other more commonly used sentences.
Briefing
Problem-solving courts for women: An evidence & practice briefing

by Suzanne Smith

This evidence & practice briefing aims to support practitioners seeking to enhance their court-based response to women.
report
“To be listened to... and actually heard” - Women's perspectives on effective substance use treatment and support

by Lydia Clark and Stephen Whitehead

This research brings together women’s perspectives on effective substance use treatment and support, identifying six key characteristics of effective treatment and providing recommendations for central government, local authorities and service providers.
Briefing
Evidence and practice briefing: Pre-court diversion for women

by Carmen Robin-D’Cruz, Stephen Whitehead, Bami Jolaoso, and Lucy Slade

This briefing aims to support practitioners seeking to develop or improve gender-specific pre-court diversion schemes.

Latest blogs

Publications

The Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA): An Evidence and Practice Briefing

Women’s problem-solving courts: A financial analysis

Problem-solving courts for women: An evidence & practice briefing

“To be listened to... and actually heard” - Women's perspectives on effective substance use treatment and support

Evidence and practice briefing: Pre-court diversion for women