Women's Justice Leadership Panel: report

1. Foreword

Today, we publish a report setting out the evidence for gendered and intersectional approaches within the justice system – a message which comes loud and clear from senior, independent, and highly respected women currently working within the system.

I would like to thank our esteemed Panel for their time and knowledge, our reference group, our dedicated secretariat, and the specialists who have made both written and verbal contributions. This report would not have been possible without the collective enthusiasm and passion of the Panel, and all of those who have supported this work.

Furthermore, I would also like to extend my gratitude to my predecessors, Ash Regan MSP, and the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Elena Whitham, MSP.

This work is representative of the Scottish Government's ongoing commitment to improve the justice system for women, and our continued efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, in-line with our Equally Safe strategy, which will be refreshed later this year. Our Policy Prospectus commits to strengthen how the justice system responds to all forms of violence against women and girls and sets out to reduce the gap between men's and women's feelings of safety.

The Report shines a light on the experiences of women in the justice system; those who come into conflict with the law, those who are victims, and those working across the system. For some, the report will not be revolutionary. However, it brings to the surface a range of strong evidence which clearly illustrates that the experience of women is different to men, and as a result, policy must be formulated in a gendered way which recognises the inherent nature, and gender inequality, that exists in our society, and within justice as a microcosm.

I urge those who have a role within the justice system to take note, and to heed the warnings of what can happen when policy is not designed with a gendered lens – ultimately women suffer.

I consider this work to be a foundational stone and the basis on which we collectively strive to make strategic changes to the way justice is delivered, in gendered and intersectional ways, which improve outcomes, equality, and fairness for women in the justice system.

We must all now work with justice partners, and others, to effect the changes we wish to see and determine how that may best be achieved.

Siobhian Brown MSP - Minister for Victims and Community Safety