International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – Insights and Recommendations on Supporting Women in the Criminal Justice System

An overwhelming majority of women that our criminal justice team work with have experienced or are currently experiencing domestic abuse, emotional, psychological and physical violence that has a long term impact on their mental and physical health and wellbeing. There are many changes that would need to take place in order to prevent these offences within society and we began our questions focusing on that topic.

Do you think there are changes that could be made to help prevent these offences within society or in the behaviour of individuals?

Chloe Piper, Service Manager, Together Wellbeing Pathway, Hammersmith & Fulham Service & Women’s MHTR

One of the most pervasive issues in addressing domestic violence is how society views and assigns responsibility. Often, the burden to leave an abusive relationship, protect themselves, and safeguard their children falls squarely on the shoulders of victims. Even when society does not overtly blame women, it places an unspoken expectation on them to act, while offenders are cast as irredeemable “monsters,” sidestepping meaningful conversations about their accountability and capacity to change.

This narrative must shift. Violence is often a learned behaviour, passed down through generations. Many offenders have grown up witnessing violence in their families, normalizing abusive dynamics. Breaking this cycle requires society to focus not only on condemning the behaviour but also on actively addressing it.

I would propose the following changes:

• Tougher Sentences and a Domestic Violence Register: Introducing stricter sentences and creating a register for individuals convicted of domestic violence could act as a deterrent and enhance public safety.
• Focus on Offender Rehabilitation: More services should be dedicated to working with offenders, helping them unlearn abusive behaviours and addressing the roots of their coercion and control.
• Improved Court Practices: Coercion and control must be better understood and addressed in courtrooms. Many women face skepticism when describing these patterns, despite the severe impact on their lives.

By reallocating some of the responsibility for change to offenders and addressing societal norms that enable violence, we can begin to foster a culture where domestic violence is actively prevented, rather than merely responded to.

Elena Nilsen, Forensic Mental Health Practitioner / Women’s specialist, Liaison and Diversion Service – Westminster Magistrates Court

• Early intervention services
• Trauma-informed practices
• Early education about healthy relationships and consent for everyone. Awareness of support that already exists or how to find it.
• Change the narrative – e.g., female victims are often shamed compared to the perpetrator by Media, this needs to change.
• Involving survivors in shaping policies and services, making sure their voices are heard and needs remain at the centre of the systemic improvements.

Emily Sterne, Community Link Worker, Bluebird Service (women), Together OPD Pathway

1. Early intervention for victims and women at risk of entering the criminal justice system: Women should receive support at the earliest opportunity. For example, I worked for a service that provided support to women at police stations, many of whom were being arrested for the first time. A significant number of these women were victims of domestic violence or mothers at risk of losing custody of their children. Offering support at this stage can help address their needs, prevent the escalation of offending behaviour, and assist women in leaving dangerous relationships. Support during the arrest process also reflects a proactive approach to addressing criminogenic needs, which can positively influence sentencing outcomes.
2. Trauma-informed police responses: More work is needed to improve police responses to domestic and sexual violence through timely, trauma-informed practices. This would ensure that victims are not discouraged from reporting abuse or engaging with the criminal justice process.
3. Perpetrator accountability: There are ongoing gaps in how the justice system addresses men known to be perpetrators of domestic violence but imprisoned for unrelated offences. For instance, men with a history of domestic abuse may be released from prison without their victims being notified, placing the victims at risk. Furthermore, men accused of domestic abuse or rape are rarely remanded in custody and often face no consequences for breaching bail conditions. This lack of accountability can discourage women from reporting abuse or result in them withdrawing their statements.
4. Flexible, long-term services: Women in the criminal justice system who have experienced domestic abuse often have complex needs and histories of extensive trauma. Support services for these women must be flexible, build trust over time, and provide consistent, long-term care. Many women may struggle to engage initially due to mistrust of services or their complex needs.
5. Gender-specific services: Women-only services are essential to promote safety and address the unique challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system. These services encourage long-term desistance from offending and empower women to move away from harmful relationships.
6. More victim focus in the criminal justice system: The system places too much emphasis on punishing, deterring, and managing offenders, often neglecting the protection and empowerment of victims.
7. Community mental health gaps: Women with complex, trauma-related mental health issues often face a lack of accessible community resources, worsening their conditions. Prisons are frequently used to compensate for the absence of secure mental health facilities capable of providing long-term care.

What are some of the things you have learned from the lived experiences of the women you have supported, and are there things that have helped to benefit their mental wellbeing?

Chloe Piper

The women I work with have taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and the barriers they face. One key takeaway is the importance of having trusted professionals who truly understand their reality. When survivors seek help, they often face heightened risks, as leaving an abusive relationship can escalate violence. Professionals must recognize these dynamics and work with women to prioritize safety.

Some practices that have proven beneficial include:

• Cultural Competency: Professionals must be trained to understand the cultural contexts of the women they support. Missteps in this area can lead to miscommunication, mistrust, and harm.
• Trauma-Informed Practice: A trauma-informed approach should underpin every aspect of the criminal justice system and social services. Women often carry deep scars from years of abuse, and systems must work to support healing, not exacerbate harm.

When professionals build trust and approach women with cultural and trauma awareness, the impact on mental wellbeing is profound. Survivors feel seen, understood, and empowered to rebuild their lives.

Elena Nilsen

• Being able to feel safe enough to talk about their experiences without meeting judgement. Being treated with dignity and respect.
• Practical support is vital – so that safety pillars are in place in their lives (e.g., housing, finances etc) before/during tackling
• Emotional support and support with addiction.

Emily Sterne

1. Distrust of services/professionals: Many women have lost trust in statutory services such as social services, police, and probation due to past experiences of being let down. It is therefore vital that they have access to gender-specific, trauma-informed services focused on rebuilding trust.
2. Coordinated support prior to and on the day of release: Poor communication between professionals before a woman’s release from prison can make the process highly stressful. A dedicated advocate during this period can alleviate stress and anxiety.
3. Therapeutic spaces: Access to women-only therapeutic spaces and talking therapies, combined with practical support, is critical for helping women rebuild confidence and process past trauma.
4. Flexible, long-term services: Services should allow time for building rapport and providing consistent, long-term support. Women may initially find it difficult to engage due to mistrust or complex needs.

Are there ways that women who’ve experienced violence against them could be better supported in the criminal justice system and when looking to reintegrate into communities after release?

Chloe Piper

Despite progress, the criminal justice system often re-traumatizes women, particularly in family courts and interactions with social services. Many women have shared how these institutions fail to grasp the nuances of manipulation, control, and coercion, which are hallmarks of domestic abuse but harder to quantify than physical violence.

For instance, women are frequently misdiagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, a stigmatizing label that dismisses their experiences. Many should instead be diagnosed with complex PTSD, which more accurately reflects the impact of prolonged trauma. This misdiagnosis highlights a lack of understanding in both healthcare and justice systems.

To better support women, I recommend:

• Psychological Support and Research: Expand research into how manipulation and coercion alter the brain and ensure survivors have access to ongoing psychological support tailored to their needs.
• Breaking the Cycle of Manipulation: Addressing physical violence alone is insufficient. Systems must also tackle the emotional and psychological manipulation that traps women in abusive relationships.
• Financial Support: Many women struggle to leave abusive situations due to financial dependency. Increased financial resources and support can provide a vital lifeline for survivors seeking independence.
• Reforming Family Courts: Family courts must prioritize understanding coercive control. Too often, women are forced into retraumatizing interactions with their abusers during custody battles, undermining their recovery.
• Women leaving abusive situations need systems that empower them to heal, regain independence, and rebuild their lives without fear of judgment or reprisal.

Elena Nilsen

• CJs can often retraumatize women who have gone through violence against them. Trauma-informed approach should be adopted at ALL levels through their journey in the Criminal Justice system (e.g., more training for Police, SERCO, Court staff etc).
• For reintegration – more opportunities for entry into services supporting with accommodation, employment and community support.

Emily Sterne

• Gender-specific post-release support: Dedicated services to guide women through the release process are essential. These services should address housing, employment, financial needs, and emotional wellbeing both before and after release.
• Appropriate housing upon release: Women are often released without knowing where they will be housed until just before or even on the day of release. In some cases, they are not provided housing at all. Frequently, they are placed far from their support networks, which can increase their vulnerability. This uncertainty can cause women to rely on men offering accommodation, which feels safer but may place them at further risk. Anxiety caused by housing instability can undo any therapeutic progress made in prison.
• Specialised Approved Premises (APs): While APs exist for individuals released from prison who pose a high risk to others, no equivalent services are available for women who are at high risk to themselves or from others. Women with histories of abuse, high rates of self-harm, and substance use are particularly vulnerable upon release and require structured, high-intensity support.
• Improved communication between services: Communication between prisons, probation services, and community organisations must be improved to ensure that structured support plans are in place well before release.
• Support for prolific offenders: Female offenders with extensive vulnerabilities require intensive, wraparound support. These women may be difficult to engage and need sustained, long-term assistance to address their complex needs and reduce their exploitation risk.
• Holistic and trauma-informed services: Many Ministry of Justice contracts for women’s services lack a holistic, trauma-informed approach. Expanding access to such services, alongside improved engagement practices, would significantly benefit women navigating support after their release.

Chloe Piper

In conclusion, supporting women who have experienced domestic violence requires a multi-faceted approach that prioritises prevention, accountability, and survivor-centered care. By shifting societal attitudes, strengthening offender interventions, and reforming the justice system, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for survivors. Listening to the lived experiences of women and building trauma-informed, culturally competent systems will not only benefit survivors but also help break the cycle of violence for future generations.