Women Experience Sexism (especially) After Experiencing Trauma

Summary of "Why is orange the new black for female victims of trauma?" by  Dana DeHart, Shannon Lynch, Joanne Belknap, and Bonnie Green. According to SAGE Publications, female victims of partner and caregiver violence, along with female witnesses, are more likely to transgress laws, leading to imprisonment later in life. More common crimes include crimes of property, drug abuse, sex work, and violence. Childhood neglect commonly leads to teens running from their homes. This is specific to women because women are seen as "objects" and, therefore, are more commonly victims of trauma. Trauma often leads to mental disorders and, instead of getting treated, will be incarcerated for longer periods of times to cover poor images of prison guards and facilities, etc (SAGE Publications, 2013).

Of course the "news" isn't really at all news, as all women experience sexism everyday in one way or another. But the majority of people are blind to the corruption in prisons. Instead of being sent to be treated for disorders such as schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorders, the government will often incarcerate women if they cannot pay for their healthcare. Essentially, women's mental health is overlooked because it is seen as "not rational"; this plays a huge part in sexism. I have a great friend that has been in many abusive relationships - most relating to her ties with drugs - and was in prison for 2 1/2 years. While in prison, they never once asked about her mental health. Although aware of her constant struggle with bulimia, the few counselors assigned her to work in the kitchen. Her disorder was overseen, and, even after many encounters with prison owners and mental health counselors, was never allowed to change positions until she was rushed to the hospital in result of attempted suicide, which tied an extra six months onto her sentence. It's sad, really. Prisons are never held accountable for covering their poor care with more time inside.  Separately, male guards are often at fault in causing all the more trauma. Too often women's prison guards are the ones who should be behind bars but are the ones controlling them. If the people in charge of our victims are also the ones that abuse them, these conditions may never turn right-side out because whatever authority reports is always the truth.

Bibliography: SAGE Publications. (2013, August 2). Why is orange the new black for female      victims of trauma?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 8, 2014 from      www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130802095142.htm