Web resource:	http://new.vawnet.org/category/Main_Doc.php?docid=412
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Women's experiences of abuse as a risk factor for incarceration
Other Titles:	VAW net
Authors:	Gilfus, Mary E
Keywords:	Criminal justice responses;Drug and alcohol misuse;Mental health
Year:	2005
Publisher:	Violence Against Women Online Resources
Citation:	December 2002
Notes:	General Overview: This US article explores how and why women and girls who have been physically and sexually abused become imprisoned. Discussion: Research has repeatedly revealed that women in prison report very high rates of childhood and adult physical and sexual abuse. The article explores six pathways to incarceration, correlated with histories of abuse. Girls who run away from abuse, particularly girls of colour, may be incarcerated for running away, truancy, incorrigibility or being in need or supervision. Girls and women who live on the streets due to abuse and poverty may be arrested and incarcerated for prostitution, disorderly conduct, loitering or soliciting. Abused women suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome may self-medicate with drugs and become vulnerable to incarceration for drug offences. The poverty associated with abuse can lead to economic crimes such as theft or welfare fraud. Battered women who defend themselves may be charged with assault or homicide. Finally, enforcement violence occurs when laws and institutional practices further victimise vulnerable women. The author recommends that services, programs and advocates should be available for both incarcerated and homeless women. The domestic violence movement should recognise the unintended consequences of relying on the criminal justice system to respond to domestic violence.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/17507
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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