Challenge paper: Towards LGBTI+ sensitive justice systems for children in Europe

The Challenge Paper titled "Towards LGBTI+ Sensitive Justice Systems for Children in Europe" addresses the discrimination and barriers faced by children who identify as LGBTI+ within the context of criminal and administrative proceedings. The paper emphasizes three key components in understanding this specific group: being a child, being involved in legal proceedings, and self-identifying or being perceived as LGBTI+. It highlights the importance of using inclusive language, respecting pronouns and names, and combating internalized biases and stereotypes that impact the well-being and rights of LGBTI+ children. The target audience for this paper includes policy makers and professionals working with children involved in legal processes, offering recommendations to inform child-centered and LGBTI+ sensitive provisions and guidelines. The objective is to raise awareness, inspire research and action, and provide information on the specific needs and barriers faced by LGBTI+ children within justice systems. The paper advocates for data collection to shed light on human rights abuses and the experiences of LGBTI+ individuals, as well as to challenge denial or underreporting of violence and discrimination. Ultimately, the paper aims to foster an understanding of the intersectionality between age, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual characteristics, and experiences with justice systems, promoting inclusive and sensitive approaches towards LGBTI+ children.