Analyses indicate that young women who have survived sexual abuse generally have worse outcomes than do similarly situated young women who have not experienced sexual abuse. A strong relationship is identified between sexual abuse and mental health problems, particularly suicide and negative feelings about life. Sexual abuse is also related to school problems, substance use, risky sexual behaviors, and delinquent behaviors. These results indicate a significant need for interventions for young women who have survived sexual abuse. Interventions should include the elements of individual assistance and components aimed at generating family, community, and institutional change. Even though evidence points to the high rate of sexual abuse among young women in the juvenile justice system, there is minimal research on the impact of this abuse on their lives, the relationship between abuse and the justice system’s involvement, and how girls who have experienced sexual abuse might differ from those who have not. This study examined data from the Female Adolescents and Justice study funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention which examined characteristics and outcomes for at-risk and adjudicated young women in Wayne County, MI. It focused on the relationship between sexual abuse and young women’s experiences and outcomes in the areas of family background, school experiences, mental health, substance use, delinquent behavior, service use, and sexual reproductive behavior. References