Young Women Tell Us How the Criminal Justice System Needs to Change
As part of our Young Women's Justice Project, we recently spoke to two young women with lived experience of the criminal justice system, asking them what they think needs to change.
8 Oct 2025
From 8-15 October 2024, all donations made through our Big Give campaign page will be DOUBLED, thanks to the Big Give’s Women and Girls Match Fund.
We are aiming to raise £10,000, doubled to £20,000, to support Agenda Alliance’s work to fuel systems change.
For 7 days only, every £1 you give is matched – that’s twice the power to influence policy, amplify lived experience, and build a society where all women and girls can thrive.
Our foundational research found one in 20 women in England have experienced extensive violence and abuse, putting them at additional risk of further abuse, poverty, poor mental health, imprisonment, addiction or homelessness.
The systems in place today do not provide women with the support they need, meaning they fall into cycles of disadvantage. Despite direct experience, women and girls are left out of processes to improve services they come into contact with. Agenda Alliance exists to ensure this can no longer continue.
By bringing together our renowned research, women and girls who face these challenges, and our alliance of 130 member organisations, we boldly shape reforms and advocate for change at a national level.
Through our Women’s Advisory Network, we provide training and support so women and girls with lived experience can guide our campaigns, speak out about their experiences and share their voices with people in power – all to improve the polices and services that affect them.
Change is possible – but only if we centre the voices that are often ignored.
Please consider supporting Agenda Alliance in the Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund campaign, to make sure women and girls at the sharpest edge of adversity can continue to be heard.
£20 (doubled to £40) could cover a trauma-informed reflective practice session for a woman participating in our work, supporting her development as an advocate
£50 (doubled to £100) could fund a consultation session with a woman with lived experience
£500 (doubled to £1000) could cover materials for a campaign skills workshop
£1000 (doubled to £2000) could support a full day of research and policy engagement
£2000 (doubled to £4000) could back a full media campaign amplifying marginalised women’s voices
Thank you so much for anything you can spare – there is no donation too small, and whatever you give will make such a difference.
As part of our Young Women's Justice Project, we recently spoke to two young women with lived experience of the criminal justice system, asking them what they think needs to change.
New report published today by Centre for Mental Health and Agenda explores how trauma-informed approaches are being implemented by public services.