New approach supports women in criminal justice system

Leaders across West Yorkshire have launched an initiative to reduce the number of women entering the criminal justice system.    

Policing, probation, health, councils, and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector came together at Leeds Beckett University on Tuesday, June 30th to shape the region’s ‘Women’s Whole System Approach.’    

It aims to help women get support earlier and more easily, before problems lead to offending. It is based on evidence that many have experienced trauma, abuse, poor mental health, or poverty.     

West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE, said:

"Our aim is to help more women stay out of the criminal justice system and rebuild their lives.       

"By working together, we can step in earlier, offer the right support and stop problems turning into offending.    

"This is about helping women build more stable, safer futures for themselves and their families."

During the event, partners took part in workshops and group discussions to agree a shared vision for change.   

Women with lived experience of the criminal justice system were at the centre of the discussions. They shared personal stories about the challenges they faced in accessing help, particularly before reaching crisis point or after leaving prison.  

One woman said: “I think no one catches it early enough. There were so many warning signs, even at primary school, but no one took it seriously until I was at crisis point”, whilst another added: “I wasn’t heard. I went through family abuse, and I reached out for help, but no one listened. I needed a safe place where I could disclose.”  

Another woman, who had been involved with the criminal justice system since childhood but has not reoffended since engaging with the charity Together Women, said: “It’s easy to say someone is a criminal, but when you look behind that there is often a story that led you them there. Sometimes emotional grooming and abusive situations seem normal. You just don’t know better.”  

Their insights will help shape how services are improved across the region.

Talks were also given by experts from Leeds Beckett University, the probation service, and others, who shared insight and best practice.

The focus was on making services work better together, so women do not fall through gaps.   

Dr Sarah Waite and Dr Alexandria Bradley, Leeds Beckett University said: 

"It has been a privilege to support West Yorkshire Combined Authority in bringing together such a diverse range of partners to begin shaping a shared blueprint for a Whole Systems Approach for Women.   

“By combining research, lived and professional expertise, and collaborative working, we can help create more connected, evidence-informed services that better meet the needs of women across West Yorkshire."   

Work will now continue to turn the ideas from the event into a clear plan for West Yorkshire.     

This includes strengthening support in the community, particularly through women’s centres, and improving how services connect with each other.    

It forms part of Mayor Tracy Brabin’s wider programme to tackle violence against women and girls across West Yorkshire, which has seen: 

• A region-wide Safety of Women and Girls Strategy to drive coordinated action. 
• Support services for victims, including specialist provision for stalking victims.  
• A dedicated Women’s Safety Unit to bring partners together. 
• More than £4 million invested in organisations through the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund to address the root causes of violence.  
• Improving safety in public spaces focused on Safer Parks and the night-time economy.  
• Campaigns such as ‘Just Don’t’ challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours, including education and prevention work with young people.