Female involvement in the juvenile justice system continues to rise at the same time that male juvenile involvement declines. One in four juvenile arrests in 1996 was of a female, with violent crime arrests increasing 25 percent between 1992 and 1996. Overall, increases in arrests between 1992 and 1996 were greater for juvenile females than juvenile males in most offense categories. It is important to learn more about why and how girls commit crime and how to intervene effectively to prevent and treat female juvenile delinquency. OJJDP has responded by launching a multilevel approach that includes reviewing how States are...
states in improving their system for dealing with female offenders. Last year, the agency issued a guide to best practices based on 16 model programs that addressed the needs of female juvenile offenders or helped girls at risk for delinquency stay out of the juvenile system.

To be successful, a program should provide a cohesive environment and supportive staff that boost girls" confidence and skills and encourage them to make positive changes. In addition, each girl needs an individual assessment and treatment plan, according to the OJJDP publication Guiding Principles for Promising Female Programming: An Inventory of Best Practices.