De sekse specifieke aspecten van de bejegening van meisjes in een justitiële jeugdinrichting volgens groepsleiders

Abstract

Purpose of research: This study explores the way residential care workers cope with the trusting relationship, physical contact and group dynamics of delinquent girls in a juvenile detention center. Methods: To get a clear view on gender specific aspects in their work, ten residential care workers have been interviewed. On top of that, a focus group is held to make a retrospective comparison between sources. Conclusion: In line with previous research, gender specific risk factors in working with deliquent girls can require multiple coping mechanisms. In comparison to delinquent boys, girls have more needs for physical contact and dynamic friendships. Besides this, it is easier for care workers creating a trusting relationship with girls than with boys. This study shows that coping with each of these three topics is influenced by a workers’ gender. Male care workers mention more difficulties different aspects of the work, than female care workers do. Overall, this study contains a review of multiple recommendations which can be used to systematically evaluate the social worker’s coping strategies with delinquent girls.