Sanctuary Model in Girls' Juvenile Justice: Trauma-Informed Safety and Therapeutic Community

Why do researchers focus on girls in juvenile justice?

Girls have unique trauma profiles, rising arrest rates, and relational needs.

What are the unique trauma profiles of girls in juvenile justice?

They experience more types of trauma, often multiple and interpersonal, such as sexual assault and physical abuse.

What is a therapeutic community?

A social environment where the community acts as treatment through active participation and mutual support.

What are the basic features of the Sanctuary Model?

It includes trauma theory, the Seven Commitments, S.E.L.F., and the Sanctuary Tool Kit.

What does S.E.L.F. stand for in the Sanctuary Model?

Safety, Emotion management, Loss, and Future.

What is the capacity of the North Central Secure Treatment Unit Girls Program?

30 residents.

What age range does the NCSTU Girls Program accept?

Girls between the ages of 13 and 21.

What improvements in safety were observed after adopting the Sanctuary Model?

Statistically significant improvements in 8 out of 12 safety measures.

How did incidents of youth misconduct change after the Sanctuary Model was implemented?

They dropped from a rate of 6.6 to 1.0.

What was the change in physical restraints after the Sanctuary Model implementation?

Physical restraints decreased from 7.6 to 1.1.

What percentage of girls reported fearing for their safety in 2008?

44%.

What percentage of girls reported fearing for their safety in 2012?

11%.

How did the safety conditions in the NCSTU Girls Program compare to the national average?

The NCSTU became safer while the national average stayed the same or declined.

What factors might have contributed to improvements in safety at the NCSTU?

New leadership and the addition of security cameras.

What is the Sanctuary Tool Kit?

A set of ten practical applications used to implement trauma theory in daily practice.

What are the Seven Commitments of the Sanctuary Model?

Non-violence, emotional intelligence, democracy, open communication, social responsibility, commitment to social learning, and growth and change.

What is the goal of the Sanctuary Model?

To create a trauma-informed environment in organizations.