Why are women’s concerns are not being taken seriously?

We are Invisible is a report that focuses on women from BAME backgrounds within the criminal justice system and their experiences with domestic abuse. The report contains the results of  survey questions from over 100 women and  includes 3 qualitative case study interviews with women who were comfortable to discuss their experiences in more detail.

The first case study focuses on Shivalee, a 26-year-old woman from London, who was arrested in early 2015 after a misunderstanding outside of a nightclub. An argument she was having with her ex-boyfriend was interrupted by another women who felt she needed to calm down. However, what this other woman did not know was that this argument was occurring because Shivalee was pulled away from her friends by her boyfriend who did not want her having fun with other people. She had suppressed anger at her boyfriend’s emotional control and imprisonment and instead, took this out on the passer-by. Shivalee describes her experiences within the holding cell she was taken to  and her gradual realisation that her relationship was manipulative and toxic. She describes how, when walking to her cell, men were licking their lips and staring at her. On entry to the cell, she was greeted by a cold room with one white light and no clock; she lost all concept of time. Fortunately, Shivalee now has a healthy relationship, where they both communicate and feel empowered as individuals.

The next case study follows Rose*, a 48-year-old Black British woman, who served a 7.5-year prison sentence after killing her partner when he tried to attack her. Despite serving her sentence, she remains on a life license, meaning if her probation officer deems her to be a risk to herself or a member of the public and this cannot be managed in the community, she can be recalled to prison. In her case study, she describes how the arresting policemen were hostile and rough with her but that at the police station, they were as nice as they could be. Rose* discloses how no one asked her anything about domestic violence throughout her interview and it was only raised by the probation officer and this was only brought up accidentally. Once she changed solicitors, things started to change, and hospital and police records were obtained in order to confirm the domestic violence. At the last moment, her judge was switched, and this new judge did not take into account any of the records of domestic abuse. Petitions had to be made in order for Rose* to achieve any kind of counselling throughout her trial, which took 6 weeks. She describes her experiences within the prison, arguing she did not suffer any direct abuse from prison staff herself, but she became a listener, meaning people came to her with their experiences of abuse. She outlines ways in which the criminal justice system needs to improve in order to eradicate the racism problem within it, and the aftercare once prisoners are released as she was offered virtually no help.

The third and final case study follows Farah, a 54-year-old British Asian woman who has convictions for fraud, perverting the course of justice and stalking and harassment. She describes how she has been targeted by the courts and the police repeatedly because of her culture and background. She has been told continuously that she should know better because of her background or because she is from a wealthy family. When facing her harassment sentence, the judge refused to allow any phone data into the court or jury bundle and so, the jury was given a distorted view of her relationship. Her concerning diagnosis by a clinical psychologist was completely ignored, along with the fact she had children and a business that relied on her. Farah experienced mental abuse during her time in prison, including seeing other women being sexually abused, violated and bullied. Women are scared to report this abuse because of what this could mean for their prison sentence. Farah outlines the history of abuse and mental illness that she has experienced from childhood and the lack of any support she had regarding these.

These case studies highlight the ways in which minoritized women are being ignored when it comes to domestic abuse and the criminal justice system. Why is it that judges are not taking into consideration backgrounds of domestic violence or abuse? There is consensus in these  experiences that in order to improve the justice system, the racism that rips through it must be called out and eliminated. Post release resettlement for white women after they have been released is readily available, so why is the same support not extended to women from BAME backgrounds?

Why are women’s concerns are not being taken seriously?