Supporting women in the criminal justice system demands a tailored, gender-responsive approach. Carole Doherty, Napo national vice-chair, shares her insights on what’s working, what’s missing, and what needs to change to ensure women—both in the system and those supporting them—receive the help they need.
Understanding women’s needs in the justice system
Carole believes that probation services need to adopt a more gender-responsive approach. “We need to make our risk assessments and support services more gender-based,” Carole explains. “This means addressing the specific needs of women, including those related to sexual abuse and domestic abuse, trauma, poverty, mental illness, and substance misuse.”
Many women in the justice system face multiple, complex challenges that require coordinated support. Carole advocates for stronger collaboration between services to prevent re-traumatisation and reduce reoffending. “It’s about effective relationship-working between different localised services to provide wraparound support,” she emphasises.
For minority ethnic and disabled women for example, Carole highlights the need for targeted programmes to ensure fairer treatment. “By conducting more research and implementing focused support, we can ensure a fairer, more comprehensive service,” she says adding that intersectionality – the inequalities relating to ethnicity, immigration status, economic resource, LGBT+ status, disability or other factors –can put women at greater risk of violence and further obstruct their ability to gain safety or support or justice.
What’s working: women’s centres and holistic support
Building on the need for specialised support, Carole points to the progress made following the Corston Report, particularly with women’s centres, which offer a less formal setting than probation offices. “It’s a really positive step,” Carole notes. “But we need to ensure that these services are genuinely tailored to meet the diverse needs of all women.”
She also mentions a new residential centre in Wales as an example of effective holistic support. “It’s an exciting project that shows what holistic support can look like,” Carole says.
Supporting women probation workers
Shifting focus to those delivering support, Carole highlights the emotional toll on probation staff, especially women, who often deal with traumatic cases. Currently, staff are offered two mandatory counselling sessions per year, but Carole questions their effectiveness. “How meaningful is that? It often feels like a tick-box exercise,” she reflects.
She advocates for more trauma-informed support, including regular reflective sessions. “I’ve paid for my own reflective sessions in the past because I recognise their importance,” she admits.
Ending the menopause taboo
Continuing with the theme of supporting women workers, Carole addresses menopause, noting that despite policies being in place, more needs to be done. “Policies are a start, but they need to be person-centred and supported by proper guidance,” she argues adding: “Members have disclosed they feel embarrassed or ashamed in having to disclose they are experiencing the menopause and its debilitating symptoms as feel they will be ridiculed or made to feel inadequate.”
She recalls an encounter with a male manager who believed he understood the menopause because “his wife went through it”. “We had to gently educate him that everyone’s experience is different,” Carole laughs.
The need for kindness in management
Tying these themes together, Carole calls for more kindness and empathy in management, especially as staff face overwhelming workloads. “Managers need support too,” she insists. “If we can build a culture of kindness, sickness rates will go down, morale will improve, and retention will get better.”
She believes practical measures like reduced workloads and better mental health support can help achieve this cultural shift.
Looking ahead: The Istanbul Convention and a safer future
Bringing the conversation full circle, Carole emphasises the importance of the Istanbul Convention, signed by the UK in 2021, which aims to combat violence against women and girls. “The figures are staggering—one in four women and girls over the age of 16 have experienced some form of sexual violence from their partner,” she points out.
For Carole, adopting a gender-responsive approach is not just about fairness—it’s about building a safer, more compassionate society. “We need to do more,” she says firmly. “For the women in the system, for the staff who support them, and for all of us.”
By focusing on women’s unique needs—for those in the justice system and those working within it—Carole makes a powerful case for a future that is fairer and more compassionate.
