Programs for Survivors of Abuse and Trauma

The high prevalence of violence in the lives of incarcerated women has only very recently been acknowledged. Surveys of women offenders in Canada indicate that the majority of offenders are survivors of abuse and trauma in their families of origin or with their intimate partners. Abuse has been found to be more wide spread in the lives of Aboriginal women. Surviving abuse and trauma has not been linked directly (no causal link) to criminal activity, however services for survivors are an important component of treatment. Treatment readiness for correctional programming targeting criminal behaviour is increased when women offenders have access to counselling to help them deal with issues of trauma. Each of the women’s institutions offers services for survivors of abuse and trauma.

However, entering treatment to deal with issues of trauma and abuse is completely voluntary. Not all women require this type of intervention to move forward or wish to revisit past experiences of trauma. It is therefore essential to respect each woman’s need in this area.