National Violence Against Women Strategy – Meeting the needs of women offenders and ex-offenders
As you may know the Government is currently consulting on its first National Violence Against Women Strategy (closes 29th May).
A high proportion of women offenders and ex-offenders have experienced domestic or sexual violence and frequently do not have full access to the services they need.
Women offenders and ex-offenders are ignored as a group with specific needs by many service providers and commissioners and formally or informally prevented from accessing domestic violence services because of their offending history.
The National Strategy presents an opportunity to direct authorities to improve specialist service provision for women offenders and ex-offenders.
To encourage organizations and individuals participating in the consultation to include women offenders and ex-offenders in their responses, Women in Prison have prepared a short briefing: http://www.womeninprison.org.uk/consultation.php
If you are interested in finding out more about the Women Offender Campaign Network please see: http://www.womeninprison.org.uk/aboutthenetwork.php
Details about Women in Prison can be found via their directory entry – womeninprison.htm
