Advance comments on report ‘Outcomes for girls in custody’ by the prison and probations inspectorate, Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate Wales.
“These appalling and distressing findings show that traumatised young women and girls continue to be failed by a system that does not meet their needs.
“As the reports suggests, there are too many missed opportunities to support girls and young women in their communities and more needs to be done to ensure they can get help at the earliest opportunity.
“Young women and girls are disproportionately affected by issues like domestic abuse but too often there is little specialist support for them. With nowhere to turn, too many are left traumatised by their experiences, and can go onto experience further harm, abuse and exploitation, including being excluded from school or getting caught up in the criminal justice system – just like the young women and girls in this report.
“Advance has special projects working with young women and girls at risk of violence and abuse and those in contact with the criminal justice system, providing vital one-to-one support, mentoring and group work, helping improve their mental wellbeing and building their trust, self-esteem and confidence. This can make a huge difference to their lives – but it is not widely available.
“We need concrete action, with young women and girls made a priority across the board, and investment in vital specialist services across the country to ensure young women and girls are getting the support they need to escape harm and fulfil their aspirations.”
A thematic review of Outcomes for girls in custody
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Advance’s work with young women and girls
Our keyworkers in the London borough of Newham support young women on probation. We deliver a Women and Girls’ Network’s CouRAGEus project for 14-24 year olds experiencing violence, abuse and exploitation, and our Maia project supports girls and young women living with domestic abuse from the age of 12. Our Social Care, Children and Families IDVAs support mothers and families surviving domestic abuse and navigating the complex and frightening worlds of court, custody, and care.
Find out more about Advance’s work with young women and girls
About Advance
- Advance’s vision is a world in which women and children lead safe, equal, violence-free lives so that they can flourish and actively contribute to society. The charity works with women who experience domestic abuse to be safe and take control of their lives, and women who have committed crime or are at risk of offending to break the cycle.
- As well as providing direct support, Advance works with statutory services, government agencies and other women’s charities to ensure a holistic approach to the issues these women face.
- Women must be referred to Advance, via statutory services or the charity’s self-referral scheme. For more information about who Advance is able to support, click here.
- For facts and statistics about domestic abuse and women in the criminal justice system, as well as Advance’s work, click here.
www.advancecharity.org.uk @ADVANCEcharity
