The School of Psychology Colloquium Series 2020

Elizabeth McLean, a PhD Candidate of VUW, will speak on:

The life experiences of adolescent Māori females in the New Zealand criminal justice system

Abstract

All individuals influence and are influenced by the social and cultural contexts in which they are embedded. Since the colonisation of Aotearoa, there has been a history of negative interactions between Māori and criminal justice institutions. In a review of theoretical work undertaken, there is a clear gap in literature relating to young Māori females who offend. Using a Kaupapa Māori research framework, this research aims to develop a pathway model that will describe the offence process as it unfolds across time for young Māori females who offend. The pathway model will depict the cultural and social factors associated with their offending, and consider the extent to which (if at all) cultural identity has had an influence over these offence pathways. By identifying key pathways for offending, this research will contribute to improving assessment and treatment approaches for young Māori females who offend, as well as inform policy development.