Up to 90% of girls in contact with youth justice system have been previously abused by trusted person
The vast majority of vulnerable young women and girls in the criminal justice system have previously suffered abuse and violence and are in danger of being retraumatised by the experience, charities say.
The Young Women’s Justice Project report, published on Friday, urges the Ministry of Justice to act to break the “cycle of abuse, inequality and offending”.
There is greater prevalence of poor mental health among young women in the criminal justice system compared with young men and older women.
Girls in custody self-harm at much higher rates than boys.
74% of girls in youth custody have previously been permanently excluded from school compared with 63% of boys.
Black, Asian and other minority women and those with experience of the care system are significantly overrepresented among young women who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.
