New Report from Vera Institute Calls for Focus on Girls in Reform Efforts

Girls Matter: Centering Gender in Status Offense Reform Efforts from Vera Institute is a comprehensive guide calling for a focus on girls in juvenile justice reform efforts which have often been centered around the needs of boys. The report emphasizes the importance of focusing on “structural equity,” which would include a systemwide commitment to developing policies, procedures, and programs that focus on equitable treatment and responses for girls and especially girls of color. The guide includes concrete action steps for centering girls in reform efforts and resources for creating partnerships across systems.