Abstract

Abstract Female juvenile offending is an issue that is often ignored. The specific needs and issues of girls in the juvenile justice system commonly go unheard while court dispositions and therapeutic interventions often criminalize what might be viewed as survival skills. This article proposes a relational group approach to treatment. Such an approach conceptualizes offending behaviors among female adolescents as the result of negative unhealthy relationship patterns. A relational group approach to treatment builds connections with other girls and women while addressing their concerns and problematic behaviors.