Parrish (2020)

Female involvement in the juvenile justice system has increased over the last three decades in the U.S.
Male arrests have declined, while female arrests rose significantly.
Social workers and researchers call for addressing the unique needs of female youths.
The article summarizes key research on girls' experiences and needs in the juvenile justice system.
Advocates for services rather than punitive measures for these females who are mainly nonviolent.

From 1990 to 1999, female delinquency cases entering detention increased by 50% while male cases rose only by 5% (Sherman, 2005).
By 2004, girls constituted 30% of juvenile arrests, a rise from 17% in 1980 (Puzzanchera & Ehrmann, 2018).
The 1992 amendment to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act called for gender-specific treatments.
OJJDP provided guidance on gender-responsive reforms in the mid-1990s, leading to female-only programs and system-wide changes (Watson & Edelman, 2012).
In 2015, the OJJDP demanded broader reforms for the unique needs of girls in the juvenile justice system.

Research highlights differences between male and female juvenile offenders.
Girls experience higher rates of maltreatment, exposure to violence, and trauma compared to boys (Butts & Mears, 2001; Chesney-Lind et al., 2008).
Common issues include early sexual activity, substance use, health and mental health challenges, STIs, and academic problems.
Girls often live in poverty and have a higher likelihood of teenage pregnancy (Crosby et al., 2004).

Girls are frequently arrested for status-based offenses (truancy, running away, underage drinking).
In 2015, girls made up 56% of runaway cases (OJJDP, 2018).
Research indicates girls often run away to escape abusive or dysfunctional homes (Bloom et al., 2002).
Girls represent 73% of teenage prostitution arrests, with many states still criminalizing child prostitution.

The Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018 presents an opportunity for comprehensive reforms addressing the unique needs of girls.
Urgent need for well-developed, empirically sound interventions that can improve health and reduce vulnerability for these girls (Leve, Chamberlain, & Kim, 2015).

Despite calls for gender-specific treatment, literature on girls in juvenile justice remains limited.
Research indicates that girls often experience trauma at higher rates than boys, which necessitates tailored approaches that consider their specific backgrounds and experiences.
Previous studies failed to adequately address the unique trajectories and needs of girls involved in the system.
Common challenges faced by both genders are acknowledged, but girls' needs must not be overlooked to prevent further neglect.

Girls’ arrests more commonly relate to minor offenses, while boys are charged with more serious crimes such as robbery and weapon violations (OJJDP, 2017).
Boys also dominate aggravated and simple assault arrests, though girls have shown increasing trends in these areas (Puzzanchera & Adams, 2011).
Historical context suggests biases in treatment and arrest rates based on gender.

Girls are more likely to be detained for minor status offenses and technical violations compared to boys (Sickmund et al., 2017).
A survival analysis indicated that detained girls have a much higher mortality rate compared to the general population (Teplin et al., 2014).
Dually involved youths face increased risks of poor outcomes and longer involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Black girls are roughly three times more likely and American Indian girls 1.4 times more likely to be referred to juvenile courts than white girls (Puzzanchera & Hockenberry, 2015).
Dually involved girls are often persons of color, exacerbating vulnerabilities and resultant outcomes in the juvenile justice system.

Girls experience higher rates of adverse childhood experiences than their male peers, including family violence and sexual abuse (Baglivio et al., 2014).
Coping mechanisms may lead to behaviors resulting in judgment or arrest.
Many girls in the system suffer from co-occurring mental health issues and substance abuse problems.

Girls Circle program showcases effective practices tailored to the unique needs of girls in juvenile detention through relational-cultural theory (Geis et al., 2015).
The complexity of need necessitates mental health and substance abuse interventions alongside community and educational support.

Medically underserved population with high rates of health issues including substance use and pregnancy (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011).
Programs like IMARA and CHOICES-TEEN demonstrate effectiveness in addressing specific risks for girls.
Need for strong continuity of care post-release is highlighted to mitigate health risks associated with pregnancy and STIs.

Advocating for interdisciplinary integration in health and social services is essential for addressing the needs of these youths.
Social workers can help mitigate disparities through community engagement, education reform, and individual assessments.
Effective change will require research-informed policies and additional training in gender-sensitive care within the juvenile justice framework.