How The Juvenile Justice System Is Failing Girls

Hopkins of Rights 4 Girls and Bree and their fellow youth advocates at the Juvenile Law Center say the system needs to change how it approaches girls. That means taking trauma into account from the outset in determining whether someone needs to be arrested or locked up at all, and providing trauma-informed services that address the impact of abuse, neglect and other negative experiences that girls may feel were their fault. Reformers also want to eliminate physical restraints, such as shackling, and strip searches, which can inflict additional trauma. Advocates also say it’s important for the system to make sure girls are not exposed to further forms of abuse while in placement.