Unique new service is launched to help female re-offenders

FEMALE offenders who often suffer from severe long-term problems such as sexual abuse are more likely to re-offend.

But a new service, recently launched in Dumfries and Galloway by Barnardo’s Scotland, helps women to reduce their levels of re-offending and re-conviction.

Women In Focus works with young women from across the region who are currently serving community-based orders and helps them make a positive contribution to their local community.

Angela Curran, Barnardos service manager, believes women with severe problems who also have chaotic lifestyles can get involved with criminal behaviour.

She told the Standard: “The women we work with in Women in Focus have a range of problems, often severe and long-term.

“Many of them have suffered physical or sexual abuse, bereavement, loss or inconsistent parenting. These experiences can lead to chaotic lifestyles and criminal behaviour.

“Our service offers practical solutions and emotional support, which enables them to tackle the problems which have led to their offending behaviour.”

The service was commissioned by South West Scotland Community Justice Authorities after results from an earlier pilot, run in Ayrshire, proved highly successful.

Outcomes from the pilot showed that breach rates for non-compliance were more than halved and re-offending levels were significantly lower.

Early indicators for Women in Focus show that the service is already showing significant improvements in Dumfries and Galloway.

Councillor John Dougan, who chairs the region’s social work services committee, says the service improves the quality of life for those involved.

He said: “I welcome this opportunity for the council to work with Barnardo’s to make Dumfries and Galloway a safer place to live and to improve the quality of life for the women involved, their families and communities.”

Women serving community based orders are referred to Women in Focus by their local criminal justice supervising officer.

The service helps women to meet the terms of their orders by giving them intensive support and practical help which includes how to comply with their order; help to avoid re-conviction; information about budgeting, social skills to enable them to sustain family links.

Through this package of support women are in a much stronger position to regain control over their lives.

A number of women are currently engaged with Clare Earl who works in Women in Focus in the Dumfries and Galloway area.

She has shared the details of a couple of women she is currently working with. Names have been changed to protect their identity.

Donna, aged 28, lived in Dumfries as a child but moved away in her mid-teens.

She started using drugs after a number of close relatives died and during this period of prolonged and intense grief she turned to drugs to help block out her pain and sense of loss.

While Donna was using drugs she met and started a relationship with another drug user.

She told the Standard: “I was forced into shoplifting and prostitution to fund both our habits. I started taking drugs to take my problems away, but soon the drugs became the problem.”

Donna was caught shoplifting, arrested and charged in court, she received a 12 month probation order. The probation order was transferred to Dumfries, so she could live with her mum and stay clear from the life and situation that led to her conviction.

Since being referred to the Women In Focus service, she has been helped with housing, finance, self-esteem and social isolation.

During her involvement with Women in Focus, Donna has secured temporary accommodation; is accessing and sorting out problems involving the benefits department; has linked in with community groups and has accessed a befriender.

Donna no longer takes illegal drugs and is stable on a methadone program which she is planning to reduce over the coming months.

Donna added: “I had a great community justice social worker who knew I needed extra time and support and introduced me to Clare, a support worker at Women in Focus. Women in Focus have the time to provide the intensive support when it’s needed.

“For the first time ever I felt I got the support I needed. Women in Focus were there when I needed them and when I was ready to make the commitment to engage with the service and support they could offer.

“The support I get from Women in Focus will stop once I have completed my court order.

“If there was one thing I could change about the service it would be that the support continued after that time and an aftercare service was available.”

Donna is now focusing on her future and would like to train in the hair and beauty industry once she has secured her own tenancy.

Emma, aged 19, has spent most of her life in various care placements across the region.

She has a history of alcohol abuse and self harms – her way of dealing with traumatic events she experienced as a child.

During episodes of heavy drinking Emma was arrested, charged and appeared in court for breach of the peace, and was given an 18-month probation order.

Emma’s criminal justice social worker identified that Emma had numerous issues in her life which led to her offending behaviour.

Due to the complexity of her needs and the need for intensive support, Emma was referred to Women in Focus.

She said: “I’ve been let down by services in the past and I thought Women in Focus would be the same.”

But after several missed appointments she did engage and began very intensive work with the service.

During the initial stages of support Emma met with Women in Focus approximately four times a week, where they would help her make appointments and supported her during meetings with different social service agencies.

Emma added: “The difference between Women in Focus and other services I’ve used is that they spend time with you and they follow through, they do what they say they’re going to do.

“I want to reach the point where I can tell my worker at Women in Focus that I don’t need her support, although I do think the input provided by Women in Focus should be carried on after the order is finished.”

Emma feels her needs have still not been fully met and is applying to the court for a voluntary extension on her probation order.

She wants to ensure her support network is in place while she needs it to avoid a crisis situation.

Before working with Women in Focus, Emma was harming herself on a weekly basis and continually being admitted to hospital.

Now she is in a much better place, she has not harmed herself for two months which is a massive achievement for her.

“For the first time I feel my life is moving forward and I can see a future,” she said.

“I’d be lost without the support I get from the service just now, but my goal is to be able to stand on my own two feet.”