Community Restorative Centre (CRC) is a lead NGO in NSW providing support to people impacted by the criminal justice system (CJS). In the Miranda Project we work on diverting women who are at risk of both victimization and incarceration away from the criminal justice system. Drawing on our experience and recent program evaluation, this presentation will aim to deconstruct the dichotomy between women as victims or offenders.
For many clients of the Miranda Project, they have been victims of violence from childhood through to adulthood. In many instances they have slipped through the cracks and no one has adequately helped. Women resist violence and protect themselves and others via the limited tools available to them and can end up bearing criminal charges. Indeed, for some women going to prison can actually be a safer option than their current context. However, prison is not a place of healing, supports are limited, and the experience itself often exacerbates trauma.
After a lifetime of abuse, when criminalised women finally reach out for help, they are often branded as offenders; can be directly or indirectly excluded from mainstream services, further reducing options and reducing hope and self worth. Indeed, in our experience, police respond differently to DV situations where they see women with a criminal record. The cycle of violence, resistance and criminalisation gets perpetuated.
The Miranda Project is often the first time when women with these complex histories receive support. We offer person-centred, flexible, proactive outreach as well as a drop-in program. We walk alongside clients and offer practical and relational supports. We are there for the whole person and embrace the context of the entire life experience. Removing the victim vs. offender lens is often the first step in support.