This article is reprinted here  with permission of the

NCCD Center for Girls and Young Women website.

 

A Call for Gender Equity for Girls in the
Juvenile Justice System

Why should girls in juvenile justice be a priority?
Girls are the fastest growing segment of the juvenile justice population.
The national picture shows that crime rates are decreasing for both girls and boys, but
the rate of decrease has been slower for girls. Nationally, since 1997, incarceration
for boys has decreased 18% compared to only 8% for girls. However, in 14 states
the female juvenile rate of incarceration has increased more than 30% since 1997.
Nationally, girls make up 15% of the incarcerated youth population and as much as
34% in some states. States and local jurisdictions are in need of gender-responsive
interventions to reverse the escalating trends of girls entering into the system.
Girls are young.
In 2007, there were 2.5 million arrests for females
of all ages, 25% of which were for girls under the
age of 18. Of all youth incarcerations, 42% of girls
are age 15 and younger, compared to 31% of boys
age 15 and younger. Gender-responsive and ageappropriate
services are urgently needed.
About the NCCD Center for Girls and Young Women
In 2006, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) celebrated its 100
year history in promoting effective, humane, fair, and economically sound solutions
to criminal justice problems. The Center for Girls and Young Women is an expansion
of current NCCD programs to address juvenile justice and child welfare systems that
are designed for boys and ill equipped to meet the gender-specifi c needs of girls. The
Center focuses on research, assessment services, staff training, and evaluation that
are grounded in the life experiences of girls and young women.
For more information,
please contact:
Dr. Lawanda Ravoira, Dir.
(904) 237-8666
lravoira@sf.nccd-crc.org
The NCCD Center
for Girls and Young
Women is guided by
the courageous life
experiences of girls
and young women in
the juvenile and child
welfare systems. The
Center is the passionate
voice for activism
to ensure equitable,
humane, and genderappropriate
responses
to improve outcomes
for girls and young
women.

The types of offenses for which girls are arrested
and incarcerated are less serious than those for
boys.
Contrary to the popular belief that girls are becoming
more violent, the highest percentage of girls is
incarcerated for status offenses (18%), technical
violations (15%), and simple assault (15%). In the last
5 years, the arrest rate for violent crimes has increased
6% for boys and decreased 1% for girls. Because most
detained girls do not pose a public safety risk, less
expensive community-based services would be a
better investment of resources than more costly
residential commitment programs.
The pathways into the system are different for
girls. Like women, girls have different motivations for drug
use, property theft, and violence. They are more likely
to use drugs to self medicate for depression and other
mental health issues and have patterns of victimization
and trauma that are different than those of boys. Girls
demonstrate higher rates of serious mental health
conditions including post traumatic stress disorder,
psychiatric disorders, attempts of self harm, and
suicide.

It is estimated that 10% of incarcerated girls are
pregnant and that 30% have children. Unaddressed
trauma and victimization drive behaviors and can
contribute to fast tracking girls deeper into a system
that is not equipped to appropriately respond to
their needs, thus furthering victimization.
Recommendations from the NCCD Center for
Girls and Young Women
State and local juvenile justice systems are increasingly
called upon to address the needs of juvenile female
offenders and at-risk girls. Based on our research and
expertise in the fi eld, NCCD’s Center for Girls and
Young Women recommends an overhaul of current
legislation, policies, and practices in order to improve
outcomes for girls and young women.
Convene a Congressional hearing that identifi es
solutions to the following critical issues facing
girls in juvenile justice:
Escalating Trends: The escalating rates of arrest and
incarceration for girls in the juvenile justice system
continues.
Criminalization of Girls’ Behavior: Criminalization
of girls’ behavior that does not pose a public safety
threat results in incarceration or institutionalization
(i.e., status offenses, domestic violence, violation of
probation, violation of court orders).
Institutional Abuse: While the rates of abuse for girls
outside facilities are higher than 50%, the rates of abuse
for girls inside facilities are even more unacceptable
and demand immediate correction. The US Justice
Department has sued nine states and two territories
alleging abuse, inadequate mental and medical care, and
dangerous use of restraints.
Examination of Legislation, Policies, and Practices
that Negatively Impact Girls: Identify and scrutinize
policies and practices for undue burden on girls. Ensure
equity by evaluating the law’s impact on girls.
Review Resource Allocation: Although the JJDPA
Act of 1992 requires gender-specifi c services for girls,
funding for these services has been woefully inadequate
at the state and national levels. Allocate adequate
funds to improve outcomes for girls involved.

For more information about the Center visit www.justiceforallgirls.