Clinks Report | Shockingly desperate times for women

Thousands of vulnerable women are at risk of spiralling into further poverty, drugs and crime, unless their needs are properly understood and addressed.

“They are phoning and saying, ‘I haven’t eaten for two days. Can somebody help me?'”

'Who Cares? Where next for women offender services?' reports on the voluntary sector’s experience of providing services to socially excluded women who are currently, or at risk of, being drawn into the Criminal Justice System. The report paints a startling picture of desperation, complexity and tragedy, framed by organisations that are relentless and innovative in their efforts to improve the lives of these women.

“We are getting requests from women to buy tampons for them. That is something we have never, ever had before.”

Alongside this increasingly difficult and potentially humiliating experience for women, the report provides very positive examples of dedicated voluntary sector organisations and committed staff helping people to desist from crime. This includes successful local partnerships with criminal justice agencies which aim to provide hope and resilience amongst women, and improve community safety as a result.

“Women will be experiencing increasingly complex issues, which are likely to require a more intensive support offer from local projects. There seems to have been a drop-off in general support. A lot of agencies have lost their funding and gone to the wall.”

The report highlights the changing needs of service users and includes a call by projects to ensure their endeavours to meet those needs are supported by a strong national voice and strategic commitment at government level.

Clive Martin, Clinks Director, said:

“Women deserve a decent chance to rebuild their own lives and the lives of their families. This rehabilitation should be at the heart of the Criminal Justice System and we need to support women, and the organisations they come into contact with, to do the best job possible during difficult personal and economic times. This report provides the vital insights and knowledge into how this might be achieved.”

Read the author, Louise Clark's, blog: 5 ways to halt the crisis for women offenders

Click here to download the report