Young people and the justice system

A parliamentary inquiry into the effectiveness of the youth courts has found that they are in urgent need of reform. Recommendations include wiping the criminal records of young people who have committed non-serious and non-violent offences and have stopped offending, when they turn 18. For further information visit www.ncb.org.uk/media/1148432/independent_parliamentarians__inquiry_into_the_operation_and_effectiveness_of_the_youth_court.pdf.

The NSPCC has launched a new campaign calling for changes to the justice system to make it fair, age appropriate, and fit for young witnesses. The campaign focuses on three areas of being able to give evidence away from court; mandatory specialist training for lawyers and judges working on child sexual abuse cases; and access to Registered Intermediaries for young witnesses. For further information visit www.nspcc.org.uk/news-and-views/our-campaigns/current-campaigns/young-witnesses/order-in-court_wda102903.html?name=hmpg-banner.