ABSTRACT

This chapter provides available information about the criminal justice system and women, presents key legal reforms and policy and practice developments that have impacted on the way in which women experience the criminal justice system and describes the relevant research that has been conducted within the Scottish context. Some information about the position of women as offenders can be gleaned from official statistics. In common with other jurisdictions around the world, considerably less women than men are charged with, and found guilty of, crimes and offences in Scotland. Much has been written internationally about gender differences in the way in which male and female offenders are treated by the criminal justice system, particularly in relation to sentencing. Gendered assumptions are reflected in the way in which the criminal justice system processes women who appear as complainers.