Inequitable access to facilities and services Women within the Cowan and Bryce compounds told the Commission that they were able to complete purchase order forms for items from the shop in Community, however, they were unable to physically attend the shop during their recreation time. When the matter was raised with Serco, the Commission was advised that the only compound that was able to purchase items directly from the shop was Latrobe. In providing a justification for this decision, Serco advised it was a resource management issue for them and it was difficult to organise visits for the smaller capacity compounds. Serco reiterated that women were only a small percentage of the total population, and as some men were also denied the opportunity to go to the canteen, it was not discriminatory action on the basis of gender. When the issue was raised with ABF management, they stated that had been unaware that women were not provided the opportunity to visit to shop and would seek to immediately rectify the situation. The Commission was also told that women do not have access to a female hairdresser. The barber currently attends VIDC 3 times a week and is qualified to cut women’s hair, however, women do not have an alternative choice if they are uncomfortable with a male barber. ABF and Serco also acknowledged that the infrastructure in barbershop is not appropriate for women’s hair. The Commission was pleased to hear that ABF were proactively exploring the idea of a mobile hairdresser for the women. These and other issues already mentioned, reinforce the observation made by the Commonwealth Ombudsman, that at a number of facilities, including VIDC, women often had ‘poorer access to the facilities and services available’.216 RECCOMENDATION 29 Whilst women are still accommodated in the Bryce and Cowan compounds, the Department should, as a matter of priority, ensure they are able to physically access the shop to make personal purchases. RECCOMENDATION 30 The Department should ensure that women at VIDC are offered regular access to a qualified female hairdresser and hairdressing facilities, specific to the needs of women. 64 Not just an afterthoughtThe experience of women in immigration detention