Justice Work – Sisters (having to) do it for themselves

• In Event: Victimology Working Group Panel 2 Consequences of Victimization

Abstract

Scotland’s record of accomplishment in tackling issues such as stalking and coercive control has been identified as an exemplar. However, it is important to recognise that the Scottish Criminal Justice System (SCJS) is not designed inherently, to meet the needs of those victimised. This research explored whether the SCJS facilitates the empowerment of the victims who access its support or exacerbates their disempowerment.
The theme of ‘Justice Work’ was identified as a significant and common experience for the majority of participants. Women described the significant amount of practical, bureaucratic, and emotional work that they had to do to keep their cases ‘live’ e.g. conducting their own investigations and gathering evidence, keeping detailed records, and maintaining the visibility of their case within the system. Furthermore, women felt they must manage their communications and behaviour to maintain a sympathetic response from professionals in an effort to keep their case ‘worthy’ of continued investigation. Although in moderation, conducting practical elements of the ‘justice work’ was empowering for some, more often it was experienced as disempowering as women had no choice but to do the work if they wanted their case to progress.

Authors

• Nancy Lombard, Glasgow Caledonian University

• Katy Proctor, Glasgow Caledonian University