Exploring Recommendations from the Corston Report. Identifying the Connection Between Domestic Abuse and Female Offending and Evaluating how the Professionals Support these Women

The Corston Report (2007) highlighted that female offenders have different vulnerabilities to men; calling for a holistic approach considering women’s needs and diverting them from the criminal justice system; advocating for informal methods such as women’s centres, co-ordinated multi-agency working and accommodation. For most female offenders, domestic abuse is prevalent. Patriarchal Societies treat them more harshly than male offenders and negative labels are attached to both female victims and offenders. They are often coerced into crime by their abusive partners. Moreover, women are barred from accessing victim services and refuges when they commit crime or use substances. This paper explores these issues, focusing on domestic abuse; its connection to female offending; and problems accessing support and accommodation. It considers the problems professionals experience for this client group. Communication and openness in multi-agency work (a vital component in these cases) is also investigated. Informal methods such as Women’s Centres are explored as being a safe space for the women and where agencies come together for the best interests of those women. The research uses primary evidence via semi-structured interviews. Expert participants are drawn from a broad spectrum in the sector including: Independent Domestic Violence Advisers, Refuge Workers; Probation Service; vii Specialist Women, Housing and Substance Misuse Workers; and a Police Domestic Abuse Unit. This paper found that women are treated unequally and more harshly than men when they commit a crime. They are labelled negatively and this impacts on them gaining access to victim services. Domestic abuse and coercion are connected to their offending and there is a lack of communication and understanding between agencies. The women’s space is an invaluable resource, breaking down barriers between the women and agencies. It is concluded that progress has been made since the Corston Report, but there are still problems in these women accessing the best interventions to safeguard and rehabilitate them. The paper suggests further research, especially into coercion and co-offending; and the interconnection between substance abuse, domestic abuse and female offending. It is advised that policy-makers and organisations explore how interventions are operating and if improvements need to be made for these female offenders and victims