Girls and women now make up the fastest growing segments of the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Given the developmental and childbearing potential of these young women and the generally low risk they pose to their communities, addressing their needs offers the best hope of halting the intergenerational cycle of family fragmentation and crime. The article discusses characteristics of girls at risk of entering or involved with the juvenile justice system; physical, sexual, and emotional victimization as the first step along females' paths into the juvenile justice system; family fragmentation; academic failure; health and mental health issues; the disparate treatment of minorities; the paucity of programs for girls, particularly intensive family-based programs tailored to girls' needs; the impact of recent legislation; Federal and State partnerships; juvenile justice processing of girls; early intervention for preadolescent girls; preserving family ties; and supporting the development of positive relationships between female offenders and their children. Bibliography, notes, references
Investing in Girls: A 21st Century Strategy
NCJ Number
180207
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: 10/1999 Pages: 3-13
Editor(s)
Eileen M. Garry
Date Published
October 1999
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article examines strategies for addressing the needs of female offenders.
Abstract