NCJ Number
238758
Date Published
March 2012
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency discusses prevention and intervention strategies for young girls involved with gangs.
Abstract
Research by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) found that in 2009, girls accounted for 32 percent of gang members nationwide. The research also found that girls who self-reported as gang members committed more crimes in every offense category than non-gang-involved boys and girls. At the same time, the research indicates that gang prevention and intervention services are designed primarily for boys, and that they do not support the specific needs of girls involved with gangs. This report examines the need for increased and specific prevention and intervention services for gang-affiliated girls. The report has three main sections. The first part of the report discusses risk factors and consequences for girls involved with gangs. These consequences include intergenerational poverty, dropping out of school, drug dependence, cognitive impairment, increased risk of domestic violence, and increased risk of incarceration and re-offending into adulthood. The second section of the report discusses the needs of girls involved with gangs from the view of service providers. Services for these girls need to address life skills classes, mentorship, and peer support, the problem of sexual abuse and leaving the gang, legal education services, recidivism prevention, and therapeutic services. The final section highlights promising practices for providing services to gang-affiliated girls. References