Citation

Brown A, Charles A. Youth Justice 2021; 21(2): 153-171.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, National Association for Youth Justice, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1473225419893782

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The minimum age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales remains 10 years: something which has attracted criticism globally by policy makers and youth justice practitioners. Yet, the Westminster Government refuses to consider changes to minimum age of criminal responsibility, despite evidence supporting reform. This article, drawing on the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child's consultation to revise General Comment No. 10 (2007) and the activities of UK devolved administrations, explores the need for minimum age of criminal responsibility reform, considering how a holistic approach focused on diversion and the provision of rights respecting appropriate interventions can create positive, even transformative outcomes for children.

Keywords: Juvenile justice

Language: en

Keywords

appropriate interventions; children’s rights; diversion; human rights; MACR; youth justice