A Gender-Responsive Approach to Treatment Programs: The Voices of Female Youth in the Justice System

• In Event: Confronting Gender Inequality in Criminological Research: Placing the Focus on Female Behaviors and Treatment

Abstract

The proportion of female youth that come into contact with the justice system continue to increase across Canada and the United States. As this number increase, so does the need to develop and improve programs that specifically target their risk factors and treatment needs. Overall, there is a significant gap in evidence-based best practices that specifically targets justice-involved female youth, and gender is seldom considered when evaluating the efficiency of existing, mixed-sex treatment programs. This paper will present results from a qualitative study of 30 justice involved females that investigated the unique treatment needs of this population. The overall research questions are addressed through youth voices and perspectives. The results from this study will play a crucial role in the final stages of conceptualization, development, and implementing of a gender-specific, self-regulation program for justice involved females.

Authors

• Sarah Woods, Child Development Institute

• Margaret Walsh, Child Development Institute

• Brianne Murray, Child Development Institute

• Erin Rajca, Child Development Institute

• Leena Augimeri, Child Development Institute