Workshop looks at how girls turn to crime

The criminal behavior of girls starts and ends with relationships, including their relationships with themselves, said one local expert.

A free workshop scheduled June 23 will examine the relationship between girls and juvenile crime. It will feature a variety of experts, including the director of the girls correctional center and girls who have experienced the justice system.

Young women are committing crimes at younger ages, said Nancy Bowman of the Youth Service Network, and they have become involved in the formerly male-dominated crimes against people and property.

She said girls once posed more of a risk to themselves, and boys were a safety risk to the community.

"That generalization is changing," Bowman said. "It's a trend no one wants to see."

She said one reason may be that girls are getting involved with substance abuse at younger ages.

During the workshop, professionals will look at the intersection of juvenile justice and mental health, chemical dependence, Child Protective Services and more to identify risks for girls.

Bowman said one known factor is an unstable home environment that includes domestic violence. Protective factors include a solid home and staying in school.

With juvenile criminal behavior in flux, she said, the workshop provides a forum "to really immerse ourselves in what's happening with girls."

A panel of young women familiar with the juvenile justice system and a panel of family members will provide first-hand accounts.

"It includes both those (girls) new to the system as well as those who have made their way through the justice system," Bowman said.

She said participants will discuss their experiences, including what worked to help them to recover. Bowman said girls' needs are significantly different from boys' needs.

"The beginnings of their crimes have their roots in relationships, and they heal through relationships," she said.

Bowman draws from 30 years' experience working in the mental health field. She said she spent most of those years working with severely emotionally disturbed youths.

Bowman wrote an original drama based on her experiences. The workshop will feature a local actress performing the drama titled "In Her Own Words."

"It's all the girls' voices I've been carrying around in my head," she said.

The free workshop is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WestCoast Hotel at the Kalispell Center Mall.

Bowman said participants must register by e-mail at JNbowman@centurytel.net. They should indicate whether they want to receive lunch for $10 to $11 with tip included.

At lunch, participants will view a video, "Killing us Softly," which examines advertising's images of women.

Speakers on the agenda include:

. Cindy McKenzie, director of Riverside School for Girls (Montana's girls' correctional institution);

. Kim Barta, therapist at Turtle Bay Partial Hospital;

. Leigh Schickendanz, therapist at Two Rivers counseling;

. Derek Dalton, licensed addiction counselor;

. Libby Moothart, juvenile probation officer;

. Steve Harrel, juvenile probation officer;

. Paula Buckley, director of Sinopah House.

The Youth Service Network will sponsor the workshop. Formed more than four years ago, the network receives funding from a grant from the Board of Crime Control.

Bowman, who serves as director, said the network provides a tremendous amount of cross-training and education to agencies serving youths.

The network was formed to encourage coordination among those agencies.

"It's amazing how much we can do collaboratively," she said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.