NCJ Number
61104
Date Published
1978
Length
26 pages
Annotation
FIVE ORAL PRESENTATIONS, BACKGROUND FACTS, COMMENTS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A 1978 WORKSHOP ON ADOLESCENT WOMEN, THE LAW, AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE WORKSHOP, PART OF A 3-DAY SEMINAR, WAS SPONSORED BY THE GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA, TO EXAMINE WOMEN'S CHANGING ROLES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS, TO FOCUS NATIONAL ATTENTION ON RELATED ISSUES AND PROBLEMS, AND TO RECOMMEND SPECIFIC ACTIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH AREAS. MAJOR WORKSHOP TOPICS ADDRESSED INCLUDED THE NATURE OF JUSTICE FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE NEED FOR REFORMS, MASSACHUSETTS'S ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION FOR JUVENILES, CURRENT MYTHS ABOUT DELINQUENCY, AND RUNAWAY GIRLS. STATISTICS PRESENTED SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH THE ARREST RATE FOR FEMALE JUVENILES INCREASED 56 PERCENT FROM 1970 TO 1975, VERSUS 30 PERCENT FOR MALES, MOST FEMALES ARE ARRESTED FOR MINOR CRIMES AND STATUS OFFENSES, AND ONLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF JUVENILE COURT CASES INVOLVE FEMALES. TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS ARE THAT GIRLS AND BOYS DO NOT RECEIVE EQUAL TREATMENT AND THAT LAWS DESIGNED TO PROTECT FEMALE VICTIMS OF RAPE AND INCEST ARE IN FACT OFTEN PUNITIVE TOWARD THEM. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS, THEREFORE, INCLUDE (1) REMOVING STATUS OFFENDERS FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, (2) DECRIMINALIZING VICTIMLESS CRIMES, (3) ESTABLISHING EQUAL SENTENCING FOR GIRLS AND BOYS, (4) PROVIDING VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WITHIN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND (5) MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS, ESPECIALLY THOSE RELATING TO A YOUNG WOMAN'S SEXUALITY. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE: DEVELOPING NEW MODELS OF SERVICES FOR GIRLS, ESTABLISHING AN INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE IN THIS SUBJECT AREA, MONITORING OF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES IDENTIFIED AT THIS SEMINAR, AND INCREASING WOMEN'S INFLUENCE ON DECISIONMAKING. (CFW)