Turning Point : A collaborative intervention strategy to address young women’s and girls’ violent and anti-social behaviour Dr Donna Swift Social Anthropologist, Swift Solutions, Nelson NZ [email_address] Senior Sergeant Ross Lienert Tasman Police District Youth Services Coordinator [email_address] Working Together Conference, Wellington, NZ 26-28 Nov 2007

Presentation outline: The police perspective The ‘why and how’ of female violent and anti-social behaviour Turning Point - a collaborative intervention programme for young women and girls.

Violent behaviour Is it the new female disease?

The Police Perspective - What the numbers say

The Police Perspective - What the numbers say

The Police Perspective - What staff say: “Give me a boy to deal with any day” “The more you put the screws on girls the more defiant they become”

The young women and girls who engage in violent and anti-social behaviour

Why are some young females engaging in more violent behaviour? ‘ Sugar and spice’ socialisation Less tolerance Broader definition Evolution of trends Normalisation of violence ‘ Sheroes’ Cycle of violence Victimisation

‘ Sugar and spice’ socialisation

Less tolerance

Broader definition

Evolution of trends

Normalisation of violence

‘ Sheroes’

Cycle of violence

Victimisation

How does the violent and anti-social behavior of young females differ from that of young men?

Intervention and prevention for young females Needs to be Gender specific Gender responsive Trauma informed

Needs to be

Gender specific

Gender responsive

Trauma informed

Turning Point A violence intervention programme for young women & girls Governance Group Whenua Iti Trust Inc Stopping Violence Services Nelson Presbyterian Support Services Nelson Get Safe Motueka Tasman District Police Programme developer & advisor to the Governance Group Dr Donna Swift

Governance Group

Whenua Iti Trust Inc

Stopping Violence Services Nelson

Presbyterian Support Services Nelson

Get Safe Motueka

Tasman District Police

Programme developer & advisor to the Governance Group

Dr Donna Swift

The Turning Point Programme One to one coaching with a female adult mentor Education programme for the young females Education programmes for the significant adults in her life (separate male & female programmes) Family counselling/support Physical activity for confidence building School staff education/involvement Community education/awareness

One to one coaching with a female adult mentor

Education programme for the young females

Education programmes for the significant adults in her life (separate male & female programmes)

Family counselling/support

Physical activity for confidence building

School staff education/involvement

Community education/awareness

Outcomes By the end of the programme Reduced strain on conventional support services and family systems Improved attitude towards school Demonstrated ability to commitment Improved social skills and self esteem Extended social network Two years later 70% in full time employment or attending school Improved family relationships

By the end of the programme

Reduced strain on conventional support services and family systems

Improved attitude towards school

Demonstrated ability to commitment

Improved social skills and self esteem

Extended social network

Two years later

70% in full time employment or attending school

Improved family relationships

Where is Turning Point now?