The goal of the Girls Study Group project is to develop a research foundation that will enable communities to make sound decisions about how best to prevent and reduce delinquency and violence by girls. The Girls Study Group is responsible for developing and providing scientifically sound and useful guidance on program development and implementation to policymakers, practitioners, and the researchers. The work of the Girls Study Group is guided by the following research questions:

• Who is the delinquent girl?
• What are the risk and protective factors associated with girls' delinquency?
• What are the pathways to girls' delinquency?
• What programs can prevent girls from becoming delinquent?
• What are the system responses to girls’ delinquency?
• What are the life consequences of girls’ delinquency?

In order to address these questions, the Girls Study Group has carried out the following activities:

• Reviewed extant literature related to girls' delinquency



• Analyzed secondary datasets



• Evaluated programs that target female delinquency



• Determined the suitability of assessment instruments for delinquent girls

The findings from these activities are currently being prepared for release as OJJDP bulletins. More information about the Girls Study Group is available by viewing presentations given at meetings and conferences. The Girls Study Group encourages the involvement of researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and others who are interested in the issue of female delinquency. A contact link appears at the bottom of every page on the Girls Study Group website. We encourage you to use this form to send the Study Group information or feeback.