WJN works to raise awareness of and progress the cultural, social, economic and political inequalities that exist for criminalised women by addressing the policies and practices that sustain these injustices. WJN staff represent women entangled in the Criminal Justice System with their presence and contributions on various Interagency advisory groups, Coalitions and Councils.
Submission to the Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework – Sub182
The Women’s Justice Network addressed the questions posed by the office of the Attorney General’s Inquiry pertaining to the scope and effectiveness of Australia’s 2010 Human Rights Framework and the National Human Rights Action Plan, and made a submission with recommendations to improve the mechanisms Framework, implement reform and extend the scope to include women affected by the criminal law system. You can read the submission HERE
Authors: Gloria Larman (CEO), Frances Drake (Advisory Panel Member) and Jaya Dadwal (Research Volunteer) on behalf of WJN – 1 July 2023
Women’s Advisory Council
The CSNSW Women’s Advisory Council (WAC) works on issues that relate to women in custody and those under supervision in the community. The underlying goal of the Council’s work is to contribute to the reduction of the numbers of women in custody and to achieve better outcomes for women in the correctional system.
Issues raised by the Council include access to health services including specialist counselling, the impact of incarceration of women with dependent children, assistance for women in custody to understand legal information and staff training in understanding the effects of trauma.
Keeping Women out of Prison Coalition (KWOOP)
The KWOOP Coalition for NSW comprises individuals and organisations: service providers, philanthropic, not for profit, universities and women with lived experience of the criminal justice system. The purpose of this strategic partnership is to influence NSW systems, policy and practice in order to reduce the number of women in prison and to minimise the impacts on their families and children.
KWOOP provides an independent authoritative voice and targeted support based on evidence and expertise, and is a sub-fund of the Sydney Community Foundation.
KWOOP’s vision is for better outcomes for women and children affected by the NSW criminal justice system
Read reports from KWOOP
NSW Trans and Gender Diverse Criminal Justice System Advisory Council
Developed to address gaps in services, policy and procedure for the treatment of trans and gender diverse individuals engaged with the NSW criminal justice system, the NSW TAGDAC meets bi-monthly. Members of the TAGDAC are represented by government and non-government organisations and individuals with a vested interest in the issues affecting trans and gender diverse people. The NSW TAGDAC envisages contributing to significant change for trans, gender diverse and intersex people in all aspects of their involvement with the NSW criminal justice system, including police, corrective services and the judiciary. The work of the NSW TAGDAC is being recognised by other states in their attempts to redevelop their corrective services policy and practices regarding the treatment of trans and gender diverse individuals.
Youth Justice Coalition
The Youth Justice Coalition is a network of youth workers, children’s lawyers, policy workers and academics who work to promote the rights of children and young people in NSW and across Australia.
The Coalition promotes:
● The Rights Of Children And Young People, Including Their Rights Under The UN Convention On The Rights Of The Child And Other International Human Rights Instruments;
● Appropriate And Effective Initiatives And Responses In Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare And Other Areas Of Law Affecting Children And Young People;
● Children’s And Young People’s Views, Interests And Rights Are Taken Into Account In Law Reform And Policy Debate.