Jacqueline Stewart, Head of Participation and Deputy CEO and a Clean Break Member share their insights on how survivors are swept into the criminal justice system, and what Clean Break can do to help.
Over half of women in prison in the UK are survivors of gender-based violence [1]. This is a devastating fact which forces us to look at the reality, that our criminal justice system further punishes women who have already experienced harm.
There are many overlapping and complex reasons why our criminal justice system disproportionally impacts women who have experienced violence.
Gender based violence causes trauma, which has significant and long-lasting effects on survivors, including mental ill health, problematic substance use and homelessness. These outcomes are all factors which are known to increase an individual’s risk of criminalisation. [2]
For many women, the link between experiences of abuse and criminalisation is even more direct.
“I have met so many women whose criminalisation is linked to their experiences of domestic abuse. Women have told me that they had to physically defend themselves from attacks. When the police arrive, the perpetrator states that he has been assaulted, and both are charged. The fact that the ‘statutory defence’ motion proposed by the Prison Reform Trust was not taken forward in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 was hugely disappointing. This motion would have given survivors a much-needed layer of protection when facing charges, and required prosecutors to acknowledge the impact of gender-based violence.” Jacqueline Stewart, Clean Break’s Head of Participation and Deputy CEO
“Far too often I hear from domestic abuse victims and survivors who have been coerced into offending by perpetrators... We need to see a much better understanding of domestic abuse throughout the criminal justice system, so magistrates and judges fully appreciate the wider context.” Nicole Jacobs, The Independent Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales [3]
At Clean Break, we see how far reaching the personal impact of violence is. We also see how a lack of public understanding of the long term effects of violence leads to survivors’ specific needs not being met by services, and everyday activities which many people take for granted, become challenging. All of this exacerbates the harm already caused.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common mental health problem experienced by survivors of abuse and can affect many parts of a person's life.
“Our Members report that statutory services remain uninformed about the long-lasting traumatic effects of gender based violence.” Jacqueline Stewart
“For whatever reason, my case seemed to be constantly slipping through the cracks, and I never really got the support I needed. At the age of 40 I was eventually diagnosed with complex PTSD.” Clean Break Member
“Even everyday things like transport can be an issue. When the train or bus is full and there are lots of men on board, some of our Members are not able get on. The knock-on effect of this means being late for official appointments, or for sessions at Clean Break.
In one instance our support team had to advocate for a Member who needed dental treatment which required anaesthesia and was told there were no other options but to have a male dentist carry out the procedure, which she was not comfortable with due to past experiences.
The woman was distraught and needed ongoing reassurance that the Clean Break team would intervene. She was visibly activated by the thought of having to expose her history of abuse. Our team was able to hold sensitive conversations in her presence, on her behalf, to help the practitioners to better understand her trauma. To their credit, after our intervention the practice offered a female dentist for the procedure." Jacqueline Stewart
Having someone else's actions dictate how a person moves through the world can significantly impact a person’s confidence, self-esteem and trust [4], leaving women feeling voiceless, vulnerable and isolated [5].
“When you’re in the midst of domestic abuse, you just don’t know who you are anymore – you’re hyper vigilant, you’re hypersensitive to everything around you.” Clean Break Member
At Clean Break, we see the difference that creative opportunities can make in survivors’ lives. Our Members consistently report significant improvements to their confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing, which in turn helps them to move forward and rebuild their lives after experiencing violence.
This happens due to their own hard work and commitment, made possible with access to a safe, creative, women-only space, allowing survivors the space and time to meaningfully heal.
“The amount of progress I have made in my three short years at Clean Break has been absolutely astounding.
My confidence and self-worth have soared. I’m beginning to appreciate who I am, where I am and my journey in getting here.” Clean Break Member
Our theatre workshops give women licence to use their imaginations freely, sometimes for the first time in their lives. Writing and performing gives women an outlet for self-expression, and a safer way to process past experiences.
Sharing creative work is a big part of our Members programme, with opportunities to perform or share extracts of writing with our community at the end of each season.
This experience gives women validation. We celebrate every time a Member shares their creative work, and positive and constructive feedback is communicated sensitively. This lets women know that they have been meaningfully listened to and witnessed, supporting confidence building and skills development.
“I’ve been on stage, I’ve done plays, I’ve been in a film, I’ve written a play! I got a bursary for an diploma. I’ve had opportunities to volunteer.
I’ve managed to find so many creative ways to help get through my trauma.” Clean Break Member
“Women often report that they are appreciative of our women-only space, stating that it is one of the places they feel truly safe.” Jacqueline Stewart
“Knowing that it is a gated centre here, you have to buzz in, it’s locked and safe. This is vital to me simply because of the experiences I have had in my life.” Clean Break Member
The benefits of providing a women only space goes beyond feelings of personal safety. Clean Break’s programme builds community and long-lasting ties between women who have shared experiences, relieving feelings of isolation and developing interpersonal skills. In turn, cultivating a space where women feel safe to express themselves creatively and collaboratively.
“To be surrounded by beautiful, strong women, who have all been on their own journeys, is such an inspiration. There’s no space for ego here, there’s an understanding and a compassion.” Clean Break Member
Attending Clean Break’s Members programme improves women’s resilience and confidence, which in turn enables them to move forward with their lives. Healthier relationships are built at Clean Break, women start to understand what they are worth and claim the lives that they deserve to be living. All these outcomes help to reduce women’s risk of criminalisation, and allow them to reach their full potential.
Help Clean Break reach more women, and donate to our Big Give Christmas Challenge. All donations will be DOUBLED from 3 to 10 December!
[1] Prison Reform Trust
[2] Office for National Statistics
[3] Centre for Women's Justice
[4] European Institute for Gender Equality
[5] Broxtowe Women's Project
