NCJ Number
165634
Date Published
1996
Length
20 pages
Annotation
A 1993 survey by the San Francisco chapter of the National Organization for Women found that only 8.7 percent of programs funded by the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Their Families specifically addressed the needs of girls.
Abstract
Interviews with Youth Guidance Center (YGC) personnel found that many girls were detained for using ink and paint to deface buses and other public property. Female minors were also brought to the YGC on charges of prostitution due to weekly sweeps conducted by the police. In addition, increased juvenile arrest rates included young people who were brought in for loitering and sleeping on the streets. The survey revealed a significant increase in the arrest of girls and identified special problems confronting girls in the San Francisco area. Further, the survey found that drug use played a significant role in female juvenile delinquency. The need for programs that focus on sexism and self- esteem is emphasized, problems with San Francisco's Juvenile Hall Facility are noted, and a developmental perspective on juvenile delinquency is presented. Medical, psychological, and emotional needs of female offenders are discussed. San Francisco's out-of- home placement program is described, and the effectiveness of group home placements is assessed. Policy recommendations to improve the plight of females in San Francisco's juvenile justice system are offered. 27 references, 5 tables, and 2 figures