According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, between 1991 and 2000, the number of juvenile females arrested increased more (or decreased less) than male arrests in most offense categories (Snyder, 2002). In 1980, females represented 11 percent of all juvenile arrests for violent offenses. By 2000, that proportion had increased to 18 percent. Although males represent a majority of juvenile crime arrests, females represented more than one-quarter of juvenile arrests. There has been growing concern that while the number of overall juvenile arrests have decreased in recent years, the number of female juvenile arrests in some offense categories, such as drug and alcohol violations, continues to rise.

More investigation is necessary to determine whether these trends reflect an actual increase in girls’ delinquent behavior or changes in the justice system’s response to girls’ behavior. Little research has been conducted to explain why females are increasingly coming into the juvenile justice system or to examine strategic responses to this trend. Although states and local jurisdictions have traditionally designed programs and interventions primarily for males, they are now faced with a growing number of female juvenile offenders. Little is known about how juvenile females respond to these interventions, and many communities are unprepared to address the specific needs of girls who are involved or at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system.

Clearly, more information is needed regarding female development, the nature of female-specific risk and protective factors, and the effectiveness of intervention and prevention programs, so that those responsible for intervening with delinquent girls can make the most appropriate decisions and provide the best services and treatment to juvenile females. Please visit the resources page for further backgroud information on the issue of girls' delinquency.