2. Statistics
Children younger than 13 are involved in 1 in 10 juvenile
arrests, with females making sure it is not gender based
The younger the offending begins, the longer period of
time it will persist, & the more serious the crimes will
become
32.5% of the total juvenile arrests in 1995 were females
under the age of 18
Female arrests rose 150% in the mid 1990s, while male
arrests only rose 75%
Main crime used to be larceny-theft (property crimes), now
include aggravated assault, armed robbery & murder
3. Profile Facts
Poverty, underemployment, lack of opportunities, and
family dysfunction are significant factors
Typical female offender from late 1960s to 1980s was
approximately 16 years old, single-parent home in
urban neighborhood, high-school dropout with
inadequate social & work skills, physically or sexually
abused
Recent profile includes starting as young as 14,
growing up in poor & high-crime areas, belongs to
minority group, abuser of drugs and/or alcohol,
suicidal behaviors, mental health & medical needs not
addressed, low self esteem
4. Early Signs
Victims before offenders
More likely to harm self
Directs negative actions inward when angry or
frightened, attempts suicide
Does poor academically
Seeks out peers who are involved in delinquent
and antisocial behaviors
Limited extra-curricular activities
High absenteeism & expulsion from school
Disruptive behavior
5. Race Research Facts
More common in African Americans and Hispanics
African American females make up nearly 50% of
those held in detention centers, Hispanics make
up 13%, Whites make up 35%
From 1988 – 1997 there was a 106% increase in
African Americans arrests, 102% increase in
Hispanic arrests, and only a 74% increase in
White arrests
Caucasian females have a 7:10 dismissal ratio in
court proceedings, but African Americans only
have a 3:10 ratio
6. Family Background Facts
Physically abused
Forced sexual activity & sexual abuse, most often
perpetrated by a family member or close friend of
family
Single-parent households with little adult presence &
supervision
Disengagement & inattention by parents in relation to
daughters
Parents who are unaware of social connections
Family instability
Emotional conflict within the family
7. Social Status of Family
Criminal convictions of biological parent(s),
siblings
Being subjected to wide range of stressors
Education status of head of household
Parents with drug and/or alcohol issues & have
been treated for a mental illness
Poverty
Poor parenting skills
Receive public social services
8. Community Background Facts
Living in urban areas
Less available social support in community
Fewer activities available for youths to occupy
their free time
Disorganized neighborhood environments
High-crime areas
9. Summary
Female juvenile offending/delinquency is increasing
at an alarming rate, and the criminal acts are
becoming more severe. There is no full-proof
solution to the problem, but the earliest
prevention starts at home. Be attentive to your
children, know their social networks, and know the
warning signs.
