Critical Conversation in Gender and Criminology Series, Women as Victim-Offenders: Negotiating the Paradox

Organised by the Women, Crime and Criminal Justice Network (British Society of Criminology) supported by  Department of Sociology, City, University of London and the University of Essex

This conference aims to provide a space for academics and practitioners working with women offenders to discuss and negotiate the paradox of victimization and offending. A range of issues will be explored, such as the problems with dichotomising experiences of offending and victimization; ensuring experiences of choice and agency are understood when exploring women’s experiences; the role of feminism and the impact this has on the development and analysis of such work and research; and the potential impact that academic research may have on policy and practice within this context. The conference will provide the opportunity to hear from established academics in this field, emerging research and work in this area and contribute to group discussions regarding future directions.

Keynote by Professor Jo Phoenix

Academic Constructions and Problems of Doing Research

Speakers: Dr Gemma Birkett, Dr Susan Batchelor and Dr Jo Roberts

This panel will explore emerging academic research related to women as both victims and offenders, particularly focusing on the problems and issues faced when conducting such research. The papers also reflect and consider the dilemmas experiences through the positioning as a ‘feminist researcher’ within this field.

Law and Policy Constructions

Speakers: Drs Emma Milne and Karen Brennan, Liz Hogarth and Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe

This panel will offer a critical insight into existing law and policy in relation to women offenders and assesses the extent to which they capture experiences of both victimization and offending. Future directions and recommendations for potential changes in both law and policy are also be considered.

Practice-based constructions

Speakers: Dr Charlotte Barlow, Dr Karen Evans, Dr Margaret Malloch

This panel will explore practice-based constructions and interventions of women victim-offenders. Practitioner perspectives and implications for practice when working with and supporting such women will also be discussed.

RoundTable Discussion

Panel members: Professor Frances Heidensohn, Dr Jennifer Fleetwood, Professor Jackie Turton and Dr Serena Wright

The roundtable discussion allows an opportunity to reflect on the past, present and the future in relation to theorisations and interventions with women as victim- offenders. Future directions and recommendations for academia, policy, law and practice when working with women victim-offenders will be considered and delegates will also be provided with the opportunity of sharing ideas and ask questions of panel members.

Centre for Crimonology, City, University of London