By Emily Barclay,
Bournemouth University
Evidence suggests rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are disproportionately high among women with a history of offending. Evidence also suggests that if women were treated for their ADHD, criminality could be reduced by approximately 41%. Despite this, these women are under researched, underdiagnosed and under treated.
Semi-structured interviews of four professionals and practitioners who work around these women were used to investigate the awareness, attitudes, and the provision of support for these women.
The findings reveal a pervasive lack of awareness about ADHD in women, compounded by inadequate training and persistent stigma and misconceptions within the CJS. The study highlights how these issues result in poor identification and support for women with ADHD, exacerbating their challenges within the CJS. Additionally, the research uncovers the impact of prioritizing other factors such as substance misuse, domestic abuse, and child welfare over the ADHD needs of these women.
The insights gained underscore the necessity for comprehensive and mandatory training tailored to ADHD, improved screening and identification processes, and enhanced support mechanisms within the CJS. This research addresses a critical gap in the literature and provides a foundational step towards more effective interventions and policy developments to better support women with ADHD in the criminal justice system.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15863014
By Rose Thorp,
UCEN Manchester - Manchester Metropolitan University
Short-term prison sentences are disproportionately handed to women, specifically for low-level and persistent offending. Too often short sentences cause long-term damage to women’s and their families lives, and avoidable disruption is caused. Short sentences interrupt any community support women may have been receiving and make it incredibly difficult to successfully engage in rehabilitative services in prison. Limited positive change can take place when short sentences are being served and this is resulting in re-offending, and consequently short sentences are being used as a response and the cycle continues. This research paper will explore the use and gendered impact of short-term sentences on women and argue that despite the excessive use of them for women, there appears to be more disruption taking place and not enough rehabilitation.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13866687
By Danielle Marie Larbi,
London Metropolitan University.
While the fear of crime in women has been researched, it is often reduced to a fear of the looming threat of sexual assault. There is insufficient research on the external factors that can affect the way women fear crime. Therefore, this study investigates whether media depictions of violence against women have any effect on the way they fear crime. Most types of media graphically depict violence against women, but they often misrepresent the realities of this type of violence. As such, this study aims to explore these depictions and their effects on women and their fear of crime. Seven semistructured interviews with female university students between the ages of 20-30 were conducted for this study. Through the examination of these interviews, it is discovered that there is evidence that both graphic and non-graphic media depictions of violence against women have a negative effect on the way women fear crime. However, it was also discovered that forms of factual media, in conjunction with multiple other factors, such as race and distrust in law enforcement, have a large effect on the way females fear crime. Moreover, it is argued that depictions of violence on social media have a large impact on this age range. Further research is needed to thoroughly understand how other factors interact with media.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13866505