TY - JOUR

T1 - What do we know about girls in the care and criminal justice systems?

AU - Fitzpatrick, Claire Joan Jackline

N1 - This article is (c) 2017 Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here (URL of the record on the Pure Portal). Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

PY - 2017/7

Y1 - 2017/7

N2 - Purpose:This article highlights the neglect of girls in care who come into conflict with the law, arguing that a gender-neutral approach in this area risks further marginalising an already vulnerable population. Approach: A critical review of the literature and current policy climate is undertaken to explore what is known about the experiences of females in the justice system, as well as knowledge gaps.Findings:Evidence on the prevalence and nature of offending by girls in care is limited. However, as looked after children, girls may be more likely to have their own behaviour unnecessarily criminalised. Whilst females and males share some prior experiences of victimisation and trauma, girls also have distinct needs and may be assessed and managed by state care and control systems in very different ways. Research limitationsThe article is not based on primary research and does not present a systematic review of the literature.Practical implications The need to listen to girls and young women, and a far greater recognition of backgrounds of trauma must underpin future policy and practice. Diversion from the formal criminal justice system wherever possible is also a key goal to aspire to.Originality/Value: This article focuses on the specific experiences of females. It calls for a gender-sensitive, trauma-informed approach to working with girls and women from the care system who come into conflict with the law, and questions the value of criminalising those whom the state previously deemed to be in need of welfare and support.

AB - Purpose:This article highlights the neglect of girls in care who come into conflict with the law, arguing that a gender-neutral approach in this area risks further marginalising an already vulnerable population. Approach: A critical review of the literature and current policy climate is undertaken to explore what is known about the experiences of females in the justice system, as well as knowledge gaps.Findings:Evidence on the prevalence and nature of offending by girls in care is limited. However, as looked after children, girls may be more likely to have their own behaviour unnecessarily criminalised. Whilst females and males share some prior experiences of victimisation and trauma, girls also have distinct needs and may be assessed and managed by state care and control systems in very different ways. Research limitationsThe article is not based on primary research and does not present a systematic review of the literature.Practical implications The need to listen to girls and young women, and a far greater recognition of backgrounds of trauma must underpin future policy and practice. Diversion from the formal criminal justice system wherever possible is also a key goal to aspire to.Originality/Value: This article focuses on the specific experiences of females. It calls for a gender-sensitive, trauma-informed approach to working with girls and women from the care system who come into conflict with the law, and questions the value of criminalising those whom the state previously deemed to be in need of welfare and support.

U2 - 10.1108/SC-03-2017-0011

DO - 10.1108/SC-03-2017-0011

M3 - Journal article

VL - 16

SP - 134

EP - 143

JO - Safer Communities

JF - Safer Communities

SN - 1757-8043

IS - 3

ER -