Identifying and intervening with girls at risk for violence

Youth violence has become a prominent national concern, largely focused on boys who have perpetrated highly publicized massacres. Less well-publicized is the rapid increase in arrests of girls for violent crimes and weapons violations. In just 2 decades, violent crime arrests for female juveniles increased by 108%. From research findings, a composite portrait of the violent girl can be drawn. This profile can be used to identify girls at risk for criminal behaviors. In this article, a three-pronged approach to girls' violent behavior is presented: (a) violence prevention and emotional literacy programs that can be implemented by school nurses, (b) parent education programs that can be conducted at Parent-Teacher Association meetings, churches, and community centers, and (c) counseling interventions that can be delivered to troubled girls by psychiatric nurses. Nurses can play vital roles in consultation to teachers and parents and in direct service provision to girls who are on a tragic trajectory of fighting, expulsion from school, and juvenile justice infractions.