Women Prisoners’ Sexual Victimisation: Ongoing Vulnerabilities and Possible Responses

Lorana Bartels and Patricia Easteal (2016) Women Prisoners’ Sexual Victimisation: Ongoing Vulnerabilities and Possible Responses. Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice 2 (3): 206 – 216

Posted: 21 Sep 2016

See all articles by Lorana Bartels

Lorana Bartels

Australian National University (ANU) - ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods

Patricia L. Easteal

University of Canberra Law School

Date Written: September 20, 2016

Abstract

he purpose of this paper is to explore the incidence and impact of exposure to sexual victimisation for women in the criminal justice system. Key ongoing vulnerabilities in respect of mental health and substance abuse, and their contribution to women’s offending, are examined. Treatment responses to address these women’s trauma in custodial settings are then discussed. It is argued that a therapeutic approach is required to provide a holistic response to victimised women offenders. Unfortunately, instead of doing so, many prisons’ ethos and approaches may actually produce a further layer of vulnerability. The paper concludes with commentary on future directions for research and practice.

Keywords: Substance abuse, Mental illness, Women, Trauma, Prison, Sexual victimization

JEL Classification: K40, K49

Suggested Citation

Bartels, Lorana and Easteal, Patricia L., Women Prisoners’ Sexual Victimisation: Ongoing Vulnerabilities and Possible Responses (September 20, 2016). Lorana Bartels and Patricia Easteal (2016) Women Prisoners’ Sexual Victimisation: Ongoing Vulnerabilities and Possible Responses. Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice 2 (3): 206 – 216, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2841506

Lorana Bartels

Australian National University (ANU) - ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods ( email )

Beryl Rawson Building (13)
Canberra, ACT 0200
Australia

Patricia L. Easteal (Contact Author)

University of Canberra Law School ( email )

Australia

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