Dominated by boys, the juvenile justice system has seen a significant increase in the number of girls/females entering the system and the system is ill-prepared to meet the needs of this growing population. This report depicts the complex issues confronting female offenders in the juvenile justice system and demonstrates the need for the development of a more comprehensive continuum of care to address their needs. It documents the current trends in arrests and detainment, common characteristics of juvenile female offenders, risk factors linked to girls’ pathways to delinquency, and examples of promising programs and gender-competent components. All youth serving systems, as well as communities and society as a whole must embrace the unique and valuable characteristics girls and young women offer. References