Gender responsivity in the assessment and treatment of offenders

• Published in: Psychiatry, psychology, and law Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 587 - 611
• Main Authors: Gower, Menna, Morgan, Frank, Saunders, Julie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom Routledge 01-08-2024; Taylor & Francis (UK); Australian Academic Press Group Pty Ltd
• Subjects: Criminal justice, Administration of; Efficacy; Evaluation; Female offenders; Gender differences; gender responsive treatment; Offenders; Offending; policy; Prevention; Recidivism; Risk assessment; Sex; treatment assessment; Violence; violent offenders; Women; NEW ZEALAND; AUSTRALIA; CANADA; UNITED KINGDOM; treatment assessment; recidivism; risk assessment; female offenders; violent offenders; gender responsive treatment; policy
• ISSN: 1321-8719; 1934-1687
• DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2023.2206855

Risk assessment tools used to assess justice-involved women have been predominantly developed using male offenders, with validations for females having mixed results. Female-specific risk assessment tools are not well established, and validations are limited. In terms of treatment, either programmes in various jurisdictions have been developed specifically for females, or addendums are available to assist in the facilitation of programmes initially developed for male offenders. The efficacy of these has been varied with gender-responsive programmes proving to be more successful in the reduction of reoffending if justice-involved women follow a gender-specific pathway to offending than if they follow a non-gender-specific pathway. This paper discusses gender differences in offending and provides an overview of assessment and treatment of justice-involved women in Australia, the UK, New Zealand and Canada. The assessment and treatment practices for justice-involved women are viewed through an evidence-based lens, and opportunities for future development are identified.