Change for Women and the UK Criminal Justice System

A recently published report suggests that the criminal justice system is due for some changes regarding the role of, and attitude to, women in the sector. The findings by The Fawcett Society, a registered charity for equality between women and men, highlight widespread discrimination in practices and attitudes, and purports to an industry that is rife with sexism. So will the report (free to view at fawcettsociety.org.uk) be enough to herald a significant change within the criminal justice system?

The report details the problems within the system in three key areas: women as staff, women as victims, and women as offenders. The treatment of female staff has been instrumental in signifying to the Fawcett Society that this is ‘a justice system designed for men.' This is perhaps best exemplified by the day to day running of certain agencies, such as local police forces where female staff are forced to wear male uniforms with collar-size the only measurement being taken into account, and ‘no allowance for the female body shape.' The Fawcett Society cite the negligence to allow female fitted uniforms as representative of the system as a whole.

Where women who have been victims of crime are concerned, the key issue according to The Fawcett Society is that the system ‘fails to provide female victims of violence with support, safety and justice.' This problem is directly linked to the aforementioned staff problems, because the system deters female application and involvement, this results in a poor representation of women - whom are more sensitive to the particular issues of women who have been victims of crime such as violence or rape. Additionally, the report also offered stark statistics regarding convictions, especially concerning rape offences where just 15 percent of serious sexual offences against adults are reported to the police and only 6.5 percent of those result in conviction.

The criminal justice system has also been reported to be failing when it comes to women who offend. The report identifies that 63 percent of sentences for women are for six months or less, and signals that too many of these are for non-violent crime ‘including the non-payment of fines and television licences.' This zealous imprisonment is seen to have severe repercussions also, as imprisonment can often mean separation for children from their mother, and does nothing to address the reasons for offending (which can often be a history of sexual and physical abuse).

In conclusion the report sets forth a future of change for the criminal justice system, and can be seen as the stimulus to make the sector appeal to more women and to become an equal and fair environment for them to work in. Whether this happens will be reflected by the industry and its acceptance that the study is as rounded as it suggests. Justice Minister, Maria Eagle told The Guardian: "While we recognise the challenges we face we reject the central tenet of this report. ... We have long recognised the specific needs of women in the criminal justice system... But there is still more to be done and the government equality bill contains positive action measures."

Consequently, the report is perhaps most striking where victims and offenders are concerned, and it highlights many ways for reform be carried out. Amongst the suggestions, taking influence from our international counterparts - such as Denmark where it is ensured that all female rape victims have access to legal representation before making their statement, and where specialist prisons cater for women and their children - will no doubt be positive for the sector and the UK as a whole.

Sarah Maple is writing for Kaplan about Criminal Justice Degree courses.