Earlier this summer, we launched our Women’s Mental Health Network in style, with an event all about the power of female voices, and turning the volume up on those voices that are so often ignored.
We had performances from comedian Jessie Cave, singer Misha B and poet Charly Cox, making it a celebratory evening about people coming together to campaign for change in the mental health system.
The Corston report, published in March 2007, showed dramatic change was needed in how women were treated in the criminal justice system: outlining the need for a more holistic, women-centred approach. Yet, more than ten years later, little progress has been made – with the government continuing to implement policies and practices that undermine rather than support women’s recovery.
Guest post by Justine Howard, Wish Advocate working in the North West
Wish gender specific advocacy service was developed in recognition that generic advocacy services are unable to meet the needs of many women. Women have told Wish that prior to receiving a gender specific service they have either not engaged or did not feel listened to; leading to disappointment and further frustration.
Guest post by Penny Bennett, Community Link Manager of Wish
Roxanne is a woman in her thirties who has been to prison several times. We are talking in the little room that Wish uses to meet women who have been referred to our services. She has been recalled to prison for a few weeks for a minor breach of her probation conditions. These can be nothing more serious than being late for an appointment.
Guest post by Jennifer Holly, Project Manager at AVA
Violence against women and girls takes many forms. Most commonly we talk about domestic violence, but sexual violence including female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’ based violence, stalking and harassment, trafficking, prostitution and child sexual exploitation are also woefully common experiences for women and girls. Estimates vary, but globally there is evidence that almost a third of women have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
Women's Mental Health Network 