News

'Gender inequality affects all women'

Monday, 11 August 2014

DMSS have released a report which analyses the risk factors associated with negative outcomes across the life course for women and girls. These poor outcomes include: involvement in the criminal justice system; homelessness; sexual exploitation; mental health problems; and, substance misuse. 

The report found, amongst other things, that:

  • Gender inequality affects all women, but there is a gradient of gendered disadvantage with poor, black and minority ethnic women at the bottom.
  • Prevalence research shows that girls are at greater risk of most kinds of abuse, including severe maltreatment and child sexual abuse.
  • In Britain 1 in 4 women experience physical violence perpetrated by a partner at some time in their lives.
  • There is an accumulation of risk over the life course and the poorest outcomes are for those who experience abuse and violence as both children and adults.

Barrow Cadbury Trust, LankellyChase Foundation and the Pilgrim Trust commissioned DMSS to undertake a wide ranging review as part of their work to broaden the approach of the Corston Independent Funders Coalition to look at the underlying causes of risk and disadvantage for women and girls. The purpose of the review is to inform a new cross-sector strategic alliance focused on women and girls with complex needs. It demonstrates to the emerging alliance the importance of having a strong gendered narrative and an understanding of the effect of inequality, violence and abuse.


The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and Women in Prison have issued a call to action, to empower women, resist injustice and transform lives. The aim is to develop social interventions which tackle the root causes of the injustices facing women. You can find out more and sign it here.