Girls & Gangs Presents 2013 Greater Los Angeles Community Advocacy Forum Promoting Gender-Responsive practices for Girls in the Juvenile Justice System

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 28, 2013

Girls & Gangs hosted an Advocacy Forum and panel discussion to introduce Promising Practices - recommendations to broaden gender responsive programs for girls in the juvenile justice system, including those who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Funded by the California Endowment, for the past 18 months Girls & Gangs has been working to develop Promising Practices with a community-based workgroup made up of representatives from Los Angeles area law enforcement groups, sheriff's department, probation, social services, City Attorney's Office, Center for Juvenile Law & Policy, and several not-for-profit organizations.

Research demonstrates a correlation between decreased delinquent behavior among girls and the availability of gender-responsive services. The forum is designed to raise awareness of the special challenges these girls and the organizations supporting them face and the Promising Practices that can promote...
• Decriminalization of child sex trafficking victims
• Clearer delineation of roles between support and enforcement services
• Increased professional development on the contributing factors for girls entering the system
• Improved collaboration between law enforcement, social services, and community-based organizations

"We know there is a critical need for more programs geared specifically toward girls and are thrilled to collaborate with these LA organizations to share ways we can improve our practices," said Arlene Honbo, Executive Director, Girls & Gangs. "Ultimately we all share a common goal to provide effective support to all girls involved with the juvenile justice system."

This May, Girls & Gangs will release the full policy report, which will include the Promising Practices, along with a case study discussing this collaborative work effort. Their goal is that the Advocacy Project not only serves as a model for future collaborative efforts, but future projects that will ultimately help implement the Promising Practices throughout LA County's juvenile justice system.

The mission of Girls & Gangs is to provide support and advocacy for girls and young women involved with the juvenile justice system by providing them with opportunities to envision and build successful lives. Since 1999, Girls & Gangs has been the only nonprofit organization in Los Angeles County solely dedicated to serving this specific population. Over 300 girls (ages 12-18) in crisis are served by Girls & Gangs annually. Girls & Gang's programs use an evidence-based, gender-responsive approach to successfully support girls as they transition from a life of crime and violence to becoming catalysts for peace. A young participant in Camp Scudder said it best, "Go to Girls & Gangs. It turned my life right-side up after it was upside down."