---
title: "Criminalizing Trauma: On Childhood Sexual Abuse and Incarceration of Girls"
date: 2022-05-13T03:00:00-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/criminalizing-trauma-on-childhood-sexual-abuse-and-incarceration-of-girls"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Criminalizing Trauma: On Childhood Sexual Abuse and Incarceration of Girls

Vera Institute’s Initiative to End Girls’ Incarceration explains the link between childhood sexual abuse and incarceration of girls, LGBQ/TGNC youth.

> Childhood trauma and sexual violence are not only a key part of girls’ experiences before and during their justice involvement, they are also a direct pathway leading girls and LGBQ/TGNC youth into the justice system. Prevention and early intervention are critical, because understanding and attending to the link between childhood trauma and justice involvement can disrupt the pipeline to the justice system. One promising model, called an ‘advocacy-approach,’ builds on work developed in the context of victim services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

[Read the full article ](https://www.apadivisions.org/division-37/publications/newsletters/maltreatment/2020/08/criminalizing-trauma)

SOURCE: Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice • AUTHOR: Hannah Green • LAST UPDATED: August 1, 2020

![girls hands in handcuffs](data:image/png;base64,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) Steven Depolo/Flickr [CC-BY-3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ gender-based violence](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/gender-based-violence)
- [ lgbtqia+ communities & experiences of violence](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/lgbtqia-communities-experiences-of-violence)
- [child abuse](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/child-abuse)
- [criminal legal system](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/criminal-legal-system)
- [incarceration](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/incarceration)
- [LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual)](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/lgbtqia-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-intersex-and-asexual)
- [sexual abuse](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/sexual-abuse)
- [sexual violence](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/sexual-violence)
- [trauma](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/trauma)
- [youth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/youth)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

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This policy brief examines the state surveillance of abortion access and the growing criminalization of pregnant people, parents, and providers.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/abortion-decriminalization-and-the-struggle-against-policing-and-criminalization)

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## Quick Facts on Sexual Violence against Young Women and Girls

This fact sheet gathers information about sexual violence, including at schools and as experienced by marginalized women and girls.

![protest with believe survivors sign](data:image/png;base64,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)

This fact sheet gathers information about sexual violence, including at schools and as experienced by marginalized women and girls.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/quick-facts-on-sexual-violence-against-young-women-and-girls)

[ResourcesRead

## Ten Things Every LGBT Older Adult Should Know about Heart Disease

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.

![pexels-centre-for-ageing-better-11674389](data:image/png;base64,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)

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/10-things-lgbt-heart-disease)

[ResourcesRead

## Finding an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Long-Term Care Community

A guide for people seeking inclusive long-term care for LGBTQ+ elders.

![Georg arthur pflueger elder care unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A guide for people seeking inclusive long-term care for LGBTQ+ elders.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-guide-to-finding-an-lgbtqia-inclusive-long-term-care-community)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Using the Media To Explore My Asexuality

MB discusses the role of the media in teaching her about asexuality and the asexuality spectrum.

![My Story- Using the Media To Explore My Asexuality](data:image/png;base64,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)

MB discusses the role of the media in teaching her about asexuality and the asexuality spectrum.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-using-the-media-to-explore-my-asexuality)