Policy Brief on Advancing child-centred justice : Preventing and Responding to Violence Affecting Children in Child Justice Systems

This Policy Brief examines the urgent need to prevent and respond to violence affecting children in justice systems worldwide. In the face of global crises and shifting government priorities, the protection of children within these systems is increasingly at risk. Many justice systems struggle to maintain child-centred approaches, while a growing focus on security threatens fundamental children’s rights, particularly for those in conflict with the law.

Access to justice is essential for peaceful and inclusive societies, requiring stable institutions and specialized child-friendly programs. This Policy Brief highlights the systemic and structural violence that children experience as victims, witnesses, and offenders, emphasizing the need for comprehensive protections. It addresses both direct and systemic challenges, offering practical solutions for reform from prevention to reintegration.

The Policy Brief is especially timely, aligning with the development of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Comment 27 on access to justice and effective remedies for children. While the General Comment takes a broad perspective, this paper focuses specifically on justice-involved children, recognizing access to justice as a key tool to end violence against them. Implementing child-centred justice, as outlined in the OECD Child-Friendly Justice Framework and the 2021 World Congress on Justice With Children, is crucial to safeguarding children’s rights, promoting their well-being, and ensuring their rehabilitation.