NAPD 2024 Women's Virtual Conference

This presentation will discuss the experiences and needs of justice-impacted Black women and girls and explore how an intersectional, gender-sensitive lens is critical to their defense. Black women and girls are disproportionately overrepresented among women and girls who are arrested and come in contact with the juvenile and criminal legal systems. Moreover, most of these women have long trauma histories and are survivors of sexual violence, including assault, abuse, and exploitation. Together, we will explore how race and gender bias construct unique vulnerabilities that heighten Black women's and girls' risk of criminalization and harsh punishment and how public defenders can more effectively address and support the needs of these clients.