Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Juvenile Justice System Outcomes

On February 28, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing, “Improving Outcomes for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System.” The hearing noted a trend among girls referred to the juvenile justice system as a direct result of instances of domestic violence, highlighting the need to assess victims of violence in the juvenile justice system for rehabilitation services.

The following witnesses testified:

• Yasmin Vafa, executive director, Rights4Girls;
• Jake Horowitz, state policy director, The Pew Charitable Performance Project;
• Dave Kuker, juvenile justice specialist, Iowa Department of Human Rights; and
• Jinique Blyden, PACE Center for Girls, Inc.