Texas Failing Traumatized Girls
November 16, 2012 | by | Texas Criminal Justice Coalition
Half of all youth referred to the Texas juvenile justice system each year have previously experienced a significant traumatic event. This trauma can cause a youth’s stress response to be over-reactive, leading to delinquent behavior. In a secure facility, the youth’s over-reactive stress response can lead to discipline problems and deeper system involvement.
Half of all youth referred to the Texas juvenile justice system each year have previously experienced a significant traumatic event. This trauma can cause a youth’s stress response to be over-reactive, leading to delinquent behavior. In a secure facility, the youth’s over-reactive stress response can lead to discipline problems and deeper system involvement.
Girls’ Experiences in the Texas Juvenile Justice System, a new report by the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC), shows that Texas is failing many of these traumatized children. Half of the girls interviewed at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex report that their previous time in county juvenile facilities either did not help or actually did more harm than good for dealing with their past trauma.
TCJC identifies and advances real solutions to the problems facing Texas’ juvenile and criminal justice systems. TCJC’s Executive Director, Ana Yáñez-Correa, is an NCCD Board member.