Increasing inflation, in particular the rising cost of energy and food bills, could see more women commit crimes due to poverty and economic need.
The warning has been made by the Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) coalition and the charity Agenda, who say that women under the age of 25 are among groups at greatest risk of unemployment.
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Black and ethnic minority young women and young mothers are at particular risk of poverty fuelled by inflation, they warn.
“Evidence suggests that the likelihood of offending as a result of poverty and economic need is set to continue for young women, perhaps at greater rates than for young men,” states a report by the two charities following a two-year research project into the justice system’s treatment of young women.
Other factors which lead to offending among young women include tackling their own trauma and abuse, poor mental health as well as alcohol and drug problems.
Just under three quarters of girls in youth custody had been permanently excluded from school, compared with around six in ten boys, says the charity’s report.
They add that almost all 17- to 25-year-old young women in the criminal justice system are victims of violence, abuse or trauma “which drives their offending”
These challenges are creating a “spiral of disadvantage”, which leaves vulnerable young women feeling excluded from support within the current youth justice system.
One young woman, who spoke to the charities, said: “I asked for help and I was just put at the back of the queue." Another said they felt like they were “at the bottom of the barrel”.
One 23-year-old women detailed racism within the youth justice system.
“It’s a bit mad how black people get looked at... Obviously [professionals] don’t really know our past, how we grew up... We all get put in the same category without no-one really looking at the ins and outs of why I am who I am today, or why things have turned out that way,” she told researchers.
Today we launch new research with @the_AYJ, on young women’s pathways into the justice system.
— Agenda (@Agenda_alliance) March 4, 2022
Without immediate attention, girls & young women will remain marginalised and locked in a cycle of harm, inequality, & re-offending. Thanks to @LBFEW for funding https://t.co/PtFRl8h1C3
Agenda and AYJ, which is a coalition of more than 70 charities and organisations, are calling for an overhaul of the criminal justice system. This is needed to ensure there is a better understanding of the challenges disadvantaged young women face, including poverty and a history of trauma, they say.
“Young women are being punished for their responses to trauma and the survival strategies they rely upon,” said Agenda chief executive Indy Cross.
“They face a lack of understanding and recognition of their needs which means they feel disillusioned, disempowered and mistrustful of criminal justice agencies.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the plight of disadvantaged women in the criminal justice system, adds AYJ chief executive Pippa Goodfellow, who also wants to see them more involved in decisions around their support.
“Whilst young women have valuable insights and expertise to share, they are excluded from decision-making at every level – from decisions made about their individual care and support, to those which impact young women across all stages of the criminal justice system,” she said.
