Our CEO Bernie Bowen-Thomson writes for today’s Wester Mail highlighting the issues for women in the CJS and how we, along with our partners, are responding to this in Wales.
Choose to Challenge
Our team delivering the Women’s Pathfinder programme work to improve outcomes for women in the criminal justice system in Wales. On #IWD2021 our team with staff from Probation, South Wales Police ,Gwent Police, Llamau and G4S put together this video to highlight our commitment to gender equality in the criminal justice system. #choosetochallenge
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10B03YQpcoC_qrnj4PMjb5mS9DXB3DC2u/view?usp=sharing
Feminist library
Safer Wales are excited to share our Feminist Library with you!
This is a collection of all types of reads; books, comic books, zines etc. which range from fiction to poetry to historical novels. The library will also include audio and video content, all of which promote feminism and feminist creatives.
Our titles cover a wide age range suitable for young and old, of which a full list can be found on this page.
Everything in our collection can be borrowed free of charge and we cover the postage for both the borrowing and the return of the items. All we ask is that you register with us before you borrow! We want to make the library accessible for all so anybody living in Wales can register by filling out a simple form.
If you are under 16 then we will need your parents or carers consent to use the library, or you can ask a youth worker to get in touch with us and loan a few at the same time.
The feminist library will be launched on the 8th March, International Women's Day 2021, and celebrating Women’s History Month this March. We think that’s something important to celebrate!
We want to hear from you! We are continually adding to our library all the time so if there is anything you wish to read, listen or watch (or you think needs to be in our collection) please do get in touch.
We would also love it if you could share your borrows with us and others using #femlibsaferwales
For suggestions, to register and start borrowing (or if you have any questions) please contact:
Joanna Chittenden
jc@saferwales.com
07752 665271
How do I return the items?
When you have finished send us an email. We will then email you a pre-paid Hermes parcel label - print it off, wrap the item and stick the label on (let us know if you do not have printer and we will send a label in the post!). Once it is wrapped (save the envelope we sent it in!) and ready to go you can drop the parcel off at a local Hermes "Drop Shop" or Hermes Locker. You can find your nearest drop shop using the postcode finder on the Hermes website. They are usually local newsagents/convenience stores. If you need help with this feel free to email us and we can help you locate your nearest drop off shop or arrange a different safe place for drop off.
We are so excited about the launch of our feminist library and we hope you are too!
Exciting times for Radio Cardiff, despite the challenges of Covid-19...
No matter who you are or where you’re from, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on us all. For those who work in the entertainment and arts industries, their income and way of life disappeared overnight when venues across the country were ordered to close back in March. Many have now been closed for over nine months, with those who earn a living from them currently stuck in limbo. While times are especially tough for the musicians, DJs, events staff and arts professionals among us, Radio Cardiff has continued to give its volunteers an outlet during these unprecedented times.
Radio Cardiff (98.7FM) is the only community radio station serving Wales’ capital city and has now been a part of Safer Wales for almost two years. The award-winning station and its shows are predominantly run by volunteers, many of whom normally work within the wider entertainment and art industries. Despite the various challenges that the pandemic has presented, the station has made many positive developments over the last few months thanks to hard work and dedication of its and staff and volunteers. We caught up with the station’s Head of Radio, Donna Zammit, to find out more…
As Wales prepares to come out of lockdown, why is radio especially important at the moment?
Radio has played a massive part in many different ways during the pandemic and will continue to do so. With radio being instant, we’re able to quickly give people the latest updates on what is happening as well as information on where to find local support services such as food banks. Many families and people of all ages are struggling now more than ever before as a result of the pandemic, so to be able to find out what help is out there for them is extremely important. Of course, music also helps to keep people’s spirits up and for those who are elderly or live on their own, radio might be the only form of company that they have right now.
What adjustments have you had to make to ensure that Radio Cardiff is still able to do all of this?
All of our chat shows are having to be pre-recorded at the moment which has been tough as they would usually be live, and the dynamic is totally different. With everything that is going on, we’ve also been slightly struggling for content in some areas as there are no festivals or events to cover like we normally would. Saying that, we have still managed to consistently put out high-quality shows such as our Pride show and celebrate important events like Black History Month. It has been especially hard to see our DJs struggling, as their main jobs are gone for the time being. I’m a DJ myself, with my role at Radio Cardiff being part time so I know exactly what they’re going through.
As someone with strong links to the industry, what’s your stance on the impact the pandemic has had on the music industry and the arts industry as a whole?
From what I can see, it has devastated the industry. I’m personally friends with many singers, DJs and different types of artists who have all been affected. Everyone is devastated and the fact that that there is currently no end in sight makes it even harder. All of us keep asking if there be anything to come back to once the pandemic is eventually over, when we have a vaccine or whatever is needed to save lives. Many venues were struggling even before Covid and it’s sad to say, but this could be the final nail in the coffin for some of them.
On a more positive note, can you please tell me a little bit more about the exciting developments that Radio Cardiff has made over the last few months?
During the pandemic, we’ve managed to move into a brand-new studio which is very exciting! The move has provided us with a welcome distraction from what’s happening and has given us something else to focus on during these tough times. We have new soundproofing and a new news studio, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it all now that it’s finished. A few of our DJs and volunteers have seen it already as they’ve helped out with it, but I’ve asked them to keep it under wraps as much as possible. We have also applied to further broaden our FM frequency and go onto DAB radio, which means that we’d be able to reach more people and have secured an exciting new partnership with Action for Children that will allow us to provide opportunities to young people too. Even though it’s been tough on us all, these developments have given us something to feel positive about and makes our staff and volunteers excited to go back. We all need something to look forward to at the moment, now more than ever, and I hope that we’ll be able to make the most of our new facilities sooner rather than later.
Radio Cardiff is broadcast live and direct from the heart of the city, serving the multicultural communities who live in and around Cardiff. The station offers a diverse range of music as well as local and national news and community programmes. Please visit: http://radiocardiff.org/ to find out more.
Meet the team – Rob Keetch, Trustee
For us to help as many people as possible, it is vital that we recruit people who are genuinely passionate about making a difference to the lives of the most marginalised members of our society. Our trustees, paid staff and volunteers come from all walks of life and have many interesting stories to tell, none more so than Rob Keetch. Rob has been a trustee of Safer Wales since early 2019 and has helped us to reach new audiences while also securing vital funds and support. Even before he was a Trustee, Rob supported us by donating Christmas presents for the young people that we work with.
Fresh off the back of Pride Cymru’s Big Virtual Week, we caught up with Rob to talk about everything from his drag alter ego Dr. Bev to the issues facing LGBTQ+ people in Wales today.
Hi Rob, it goes without saying that we’re very glad to have you on board but what made you want to get involved with Safer Wales as a trustee?
I originally came across the organisation at the first ever Pride event in Cardiff in 1999, or Mardi Gras as it was known back then. Mardi Gras fell under the umbrella of Safer Cardiff, which later became Safer Wales. That’s where I met Bernie and the charity has been on my radar since. I was then asked to do a fundraising quiz, which is something we should definitely do again soon, and it went from there. I would only join if I thought that I could make a difference and add something to the great work that Safer Wales does already. I’m now focused on bringing in new trustees and trying to help attract celebrity ambassadors, and I’m very excited to see what the future will bring!
Obviously, things were hugely different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic but how was Pride for you as a patron?
It certainly was! I’m very pleased with the response and feedback we’ve had so far. For me, one of the most important things with Pride is to strike a balance between protesting and celebrating. We had a wide range of interesting panel discussions, many of which allowed us to raise important issues such as trans rights, mental health and so forth. Because of how well it all went, we’re now planning monthly virtual panels which will allow us to address even more politically relevant LGBTQ+ issues.
Hosting virtual events means that we can actually reach a wider audience, including those who might not attend an in-person event for various reasons. For example, if someone is still in the closet they might not feel comfortable at a traditional Pride event. I’m really glad that the virtual event still helped give a voice to voiceless, while allowing us to celebrate lesser known local acts and protest for LGBTQ+ rights at the same time.
In your opinion, what are the main issues facing the LGBTQ+ community in Wales today?
I would say one of the main issues is the fact that people think that the fight for gay rights is over because we now have equality but that simply isn’t true! The fight for equal rights still continues especially when you consider the challenges LGBTQ+ people face when it comes to adoption and fostering and even giving blood. For example, gay men have to wait three months after having sex before they are can donate, while heterosexual people can donate regardless of when they last had sex. There are also many issues relating to the Gender Reformation Act and the rolling back of trans rights that need to be addressed. The fight definitely isn’t over and a lot more needs to be done before we can truly say that we have reached an even playing field.
What more could allies and society as a whole do to support LGBTQ+ people in Wales today?
Ask questions and never make assumptions! Don’t assume that all gay men are the same and all fit the same caricature and the same goes for lesbians and bisexual people. Biphobia is especially problematic, with some people believing that it doesn’t actually exist. We won’t back away or be offended if we are asked questions to help people get a better understanding of us. It really concerns me that people can’t accept others for just being who they are, whether that’s because of their sexuality, skin colour or whatever it may be. I consider humans to be kind, warm and generous beings and I find it sad when that isn’t the case. This isn’t specific to heterosexual people as it happens within the gay community too, religious LGBTQ+ people are often judged for their faith, for example.
When you aren’t busy with Pride Cymru and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, what does a typical day look like for you?
It’s hard to say what a typical day is because I’m involved in so many different projects. I stepped down from my day job (as Techniquest’s Retail Manager) in December and thought that I wouldn’t know what to do with myself, but I’ve been so busy since! I was brought up being taught to share my toys and now I share my time instead. I work with various charity organisations including Llamau and Safer Wales, help organise Pride events around the UK and also perform as my alter ego Dr. Bev BallCrusher in my down time. Obviously, the drag side of things has been impacted massively because of the pandemic but I’ve focused on finding new ways to get Bev out there. I’ve been doing YouTube interviews with well-known people such as Faye Tozer from Steps and Hazell Dean and have dabbled with recording podcasts too.
Dr. Bev BallCrusher
Tell us a little bit more about Dr. Bev BallCrusher…
I have been performing as Bev for 26 years now and she is based on many women who have inspired me such as Joan Sims, Victoria Wood and my aunty Pam. She isn’t a parody of a woman or of anyone but a celebration of those that have influenced me, just with slightly better dress sense! When I’m performing I know that I won’t make everyone laugh or make a difference to everyone, but some will laugh, and it will make a difference to some which is good enough for me.
With you being so busy, how do you manage to keep up with it all?!
I honestly don’t know is the answer! Sometimes I have to block out days to myself where I have a chance to just sit on the sofa with a big bowl of popcorn and watch rubbish telly. Even then, I’m still being asked if I can do this and that, but I have to say no because I’m too busy watching Holby City and Casualty.
Calling for a better future for young girls in Wales this International Youth Day
International Youth Day (IYD) takes place annually on the 12th of August, praising young people and their important contribution to our society. While it is, and should be, a day for celebration, there is no escaping the fact that our youth are currently under more pressure than ever.
The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have already had a significant impact on young people in the UK. A quick look at a few key statistics paints a bleak picture –
In June 2020, 522,200 people aged 16-24 claimed unemployment related benefits. This was an increase of 280,400 claimants, or 116% from March 2020, when the UK lockdown began
One-third of 18-24-year-old employees (excluding students) have lost jobs or been furloughed, compared to one-in-six prime-age adults
35% of non-full-time student 18-24-year-old employees are earning less than they did prior to the outbreak, compared to 23% of 25-49-year-olds.
While the statistics above relate to all young people in the UK, our girls face many other challenges too. For example, 52% of girls in Wales have been sexually harassed in public with similar harassment in schools happening on a daily basis. As well as dealing with catcalling, being followed and even inappropriately touched in some cases, Welsh girls are also on the back foot when it comes to their future prospects. The gender pay gap in Wales currently stands at 14.5% while more than half of Universal Credit claimants are women.
From working with many young girls, we’ve seen first-hand how poverty, harassment and other issues can seriously impact the way they feel about their lives and futures. Struggling to find suitable employment could lead girls into sex work, drugs and other areas which leave them open to exploitation. This is why we’re calling for an end to gender-based exploitation and the start of a better future for vulnerable young girls in Wales this International Youth Day.
These girls are the potential mothers, nurses, teachers etc of the future and if they are to stand a chance, they need our support. We need to ensure that relevant funding and laws are in place to protect them and that young girls are given a platform for their voices to be heard. No girl should have to be harassed no matter where they are or what they are wearing and it’s time for such practices to be forced into the past. Neither should any girl feel that they have no option other than to sell themselves or pick up damaging and often life-threatening habits.
Ensuring that girls can access the resources needed to make positive life choices is vital and more focus is needed on creating plenty of opportunities for them. If we are to create a better Wales, we need to ensure that vulnerable young girls are able to feel excited about their futures and not like it’s over before it’s even began.
We work with many young girls and women through our Safer Wales Inclusive Service (SWIS), as well as being one of the delivery partners for Plan UK’s Champions of Wales programme. Champions of Wales aims build girls’ skills and confidence as well as their understanding of gender equality and rights.
SWIS is a project for young females aged 13-24 years and provides one-to-one and group work focused on encouraging positive lifestyle choices for those that are at risk of or experiencing exploitation. The project focuses on wellbeing and increasing resilience factors by activities that are suited to the needs of the group / individual. If you’re an individual or part of a community group that would like to know more, please contact Rachel Brydon (Safer Wales Youth Lead): rb@saferwales.com
Fair goers reminisce with the Attic Project
Cathays Community Fair, Pentyrch Street, Saturday 15th June 2pm – 5pm
At 1.30pm the sun was shining with a little drizzle of rain expected sporadically throughout the afternoon. We set up stall, and waited for people to arrive at 2pm. We were not disappointed, lots of people attended and more than a little bit of drizzle hit us a few times. Were we bothered? Nope.
Our table was full with items for people to browse and reminisce over: an arcade game (Space Invaders J), a turntable and some LP’s, a crocheted blanket, a shoe and many more. With our brightly packed table, our highly prized pens and mugs, sunshine, rain and lots of visitors we started the afternoon rockin’ and rollin’ to the sounds of local band The Plucking Fourstrings.
We invited people to share memories related to things, and so many people did, thank you! Here are some examples:
China dolls: “I remember having a few china dolls as a child - I quite liked their hair and frilly clothes. It has to be said, as I got older their face began to take on a sinister vibe - it’s a happy / freaky memory!”
Space Invaders: “I remember playing space Invaders with my friends from school in Words and Music on Wellfield Road. Trying to get the high score then getting there and someone else beat me. Good times”
Accordion: “My Nana used to play to me, it was old, dusty and not working properly but she always persisted in playing ‘Little Donkey’ to me. I was always in awe for some reason. We dug it out the other day and I remember how to play it!”
The Attic Project, a declutter and reminiscence initiative, is funded by the National Lottery Community fund and is a partnership project between Safer Wales and Care & Repair. We support vulnerable people over the age of 50 to declutter, to make space for adaptations and repairs and to live safely and independently at home.
We are looking for volunteers to get involved in the project and attended the fair to talk about all the ways people can get involved. As an Attic volunteer you might choose a role that helps people to declutter, or you might create a way to record memories by capturing stories and images of people’s possessions, you could help run a stall at an event or maybe support project development in some way.
Contact Jo to find out more: Jo Harry email joh@saferwales.com or telephone 02920 220 033. Jo works 10.00 to 16.30 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week, but you can contact her outside these hours and leave a message.
Safer Wales CEO, Bernie Bowen-Thomson, reacts to plans for residencial rehabilitation centres
Our CEO, Bernie Bowen-Thomson, explains why the government’s plans for residential rehabilitation centres for female offenders is the right approach for women in Wales.
Last week it was announced that the government has scrapped plans for five women’s community prisons in Wales and England.
Instead, the Ministry of Justice will be trialling five residential centres that will focus on rehabilitating offenders, and has also promised to spend £5million over the next two years on community provisions for women.
At Safer Wales, we’ve spent the last 20 years working with women and girls in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system.
We work with South Wales Police to deliver our pathfinder service which helps to address the reasons why women commit crimes in the first place and, since 2016, 90 per cent of those we have engaged with did not go on to reoffend within six months.
This is remarkable when you consider that 51 per cent of women leaving prison will be reconvicted within a year, and among those on short sentences of less than 12 months, this rises to 62 per cent.
If one of the aims of prison is to reduce offending by women, it doesn’t work. In fact, given that roughly a quarter of female inmates have no previous conviction, sending a woman to prison increases the probability of her offending again.
Our experience has shown us that rehabilitating women within the community is the best approach for reducing reoffending rates and enabling often very vulnerable women the chance to turn their lives around.
All the evidence shows that women’s routes into criminality are very different, their needs are very different, and that short sentences – which have increased by 43 per cent in the last five years - have a disproportionate effect on women.
According to the Prison Reform Trust, female prisoners are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators: 46 per cent have suffered domestic violence and 53 per cent have experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse during childhood.
Additionally, because women are more likely to be single parents and the prime homemaker, they run a greater risk of ending up homeless after prison and losing access to their children.
The impact of this on a child can be huge, affecting not just their day-to-day stability but also their future health and wellbeing. Surely keeping families together wherever possible is the best solution for safeguarding future generations?
Rates of mental illness are also much higher among the female prison population: 30 per cent will have had a psychiatric admission before coming to prison, and 37 per cent have previously attempted suicide. This illustrates how vulnerable and distressed many women prisoners are, and how the system has failed these women when they end up serving short term sentences in prison.
The way our criminal justice system is managed effects everyone, not just offenders. In a time of austerity, we need to find solutions that work for the tax payer as well as those in need of rehabilitation.
In 2009/2010 keeping a woman in prison for one-year cost £56,415 while an equivalent community sentence cost just £1,360. If a woman’s children are placed in care, the cost of a prison sentence can rocket, from an extra £40,000 to place a child with no specialist needs in care for 14 months, to £525,000 over 20 months for placing a child with complex needs in care. It’s estimated that moving just 1,000 women out of prison and on to a community sentence would save the Ministry of Justice at least £12m a year.
So looking for alternatives and supporting women within the community to get back on track, rather than favouring costly prison sentences, is the right approach - and one we know works.
Maria (name changed) was referred to Safer Wales after she was arrested for the first time for stealing from her workplace and, as a consequence, losing her job.
This was the first time she had ever been in trouble with the police, and the experience was obviously distressing.
"It was really frightening and claustrophobic. I was thinking about my partner, my family and my kids".
As a first time offender, Maria was offered the chance to work with us to tackle her drug addiction, which had driven her to offend in the first place. Despite being addicted to both cocaine and heroin for 30 years, Maria managed to overcome her addiction and find a new job.
"It was such a relief. It's the best thing that's happened to me, I've learnt a lot and I got lots of support."
Maria’s story is one example of the hundreds of women we’ve seen make positive changes in their lives when given the support they need.
By moving the emphasis away from custodial sentences and towards community rehabilitation, this new strategy means we can reduce the ultimately counterproductive practice of separating mothers from their children; placing vulnerable women with substance misuse and mental health issues on short term prison sentences.
With our devolved government’s commitment to increasing community safety and safeguarding future generations in Wales, we have a unique opportunity to ensure our communities are safer through progressive approaches to criminal justice.
We’re looking forward to working together with agencies and lawmakers alike to help shape a system that works for women in Wales and across the UK.
Farewell from our Co-CEO Barbara Natasegara
As many of you know I am leaving Safer Wales at the end of December, and exploring some new avenues work-wise, including consultancy and mentoring. I will be also continuing my work as a Humanist celebrant; (if you are interested in this, you can find me here
https://humanist.org.uk/barbaranatasegara/
It is a privilege to be able to leave the organisation at a good time, and in good hands, led by a team who is committed to continue creating a safer future, with Bernie Bowen-Thomson as CEO, supported by Karen Maxwell (Director of Services Standards) and Simon Borja (Director of Project Development) in the Senior Management Team.
It's been a roller coaster ride - (more highs than lows, thankfully!) over the 20 years I have been with the charity, and I have met and worked with many wonderful, committed and inspiring people, both in our own team and in other agencies across Wales and the UK.
Partnership working and collaboration is at the heart of Safer Wales and I am grateful for the support you have shown and continue to show for the work we do.
With all best wishes for the festive season and for a peaceful and positive New Year 2018.
Barbara Natasegara
Safer Wales - Enhanced Child Tax Credit Response
Safer Wales Board of Trustees was recently asked to give our view on whether we were willing to be included in the list of “accredited” organisations that can support a woman's claim that her third or more child(ren) were the result of rape, with the result of rape and consequently enabling that individual to claim enhanced Child Tax Credit.
Our prime concern is the safety and support of our survivor clients. We believe that agencies such as our own are best placed to safeguard clients including facilitating safe disclosure. Whilst we understand the aims of the policy and are supportive of any effort that ensures more assistance is given to those in most need, we do have some concerns which we would be grateful if you take into account. Safer Wales believes the proposed implementation of this exception to the limiting of the individual child tax credit, as it is currently presented, risks a reduction in community safety, an increase in safeguarding risks, and is potentially a breach of human rights. This is not in the best interests of survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Bernie Bowen-Thomson, Co-CEO Safer Wales said “Safer Wales believes the new Child Tax Credit legislation seriously risks undermining the credibility of survivors of rape and poses a concerning risk to community safety. We also believe it is potentially a breach of human rights.
“As a charity that works with the most vulnerable people in society, including survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse, our prime concern is the safety of the people we protect and their access to justice.
“We believe this clause has the potential to seriously undermine the positive work that has been developed since the 1990s to increase victim confidence in reporting perpetrators of sexual violence.
“By weakening victims’ voices and undermining the efforts of agencies such as Safer Wales, it threatens the vital work with survivors of rape to obtain justice, which is already a difficult field.”