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The female responsive approach intentionally allows gender identity and development to affect and guide all aspects of program design and service delivery. It extends beyond simply targeting adolescent girls as an audience. It must meet the standard of being specific to the female experience and free from sexism. In order to be effective with girls who are involved with the juvenile justice system, a female responsive approach must reflect an understanding of female development, the specific issues, expectations and challenges of contemporary adolescent females and how they affect juvenile justice involvement and treatment.
Components of a Female Responsive Approach
- Provide emotional and physical safety and cultivate personal security
- Culturally responsive and inclusive
- Relationship-driven and connection-oriented
- Bolster and/or act as role models and mentors with whom girls can identify
- Address the trauma in girls’ lives and focus on healing
- Address sexual and reproductive health as well as sexuality
- Strength-based and cultivate resilience
- Promote educational success as well as future employability and self-sufficiency
- Address unique physical, mental and emotional health needs of females
- Support female-centered exploration of self-care, including spirituality
- Actively engage members of girls’ families and/or support network