A comprehensive study on the juvenile justice system, conducted by Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) and UNICEF, has proposed a new approach to combatting child exploitation.
The study recommends that individuals who exploit children for criminal activities, particularly gang leaders, be fined, with the proceeds dedicated to rehabilitating child offenders.
The findings of the study were released during a conference on the juvenile justice system organised by the Prosecutor General's Office.
The study identified the exploitation of children by gangs as a primary factor contributing to juvenile delinquency in the country. Gangs are reportedly using children to commit serious offenses, such as drug trafficking, assault, and property damage, because the penalties for juveniles are significantly lighter. This practice, according to the research, often involves minors who are below the age of criminal responsibility.
Police statistics included in the study show an alarming number of child abuse cases. Between 1 January 2022 to March of this year, 942 cases of child abuse were reported, though only 100 were submitted for prosecution.
The study also highlighted that children involved in gangs often come from families facing significant financial and social challenges. To address this, the study proposes a system where individuals who exploit children are heavily fined, or have their property confiscated. The funds generated would then be used for rehabilitating young offenders, noting that this is a practice used in other countries.
The study emphasised that the long-term physical and psychological damage caused by exposing children to crime requires significant government investment to resolve, making such fines a crucial source of funding.
Under the current Child Rights Protection Act, exploiting a child carries a penalty of three years in jail.
In addition to financial measures, the study outlined several other strategies for strengthening the juvenile justice system and steering children away from crime.
Key recommendations include:
Preventing gang and drug trafficking: The study stressed that curbing these activities is one of the most critical steps to protecting children.
Amending legislation: It called for legislative changes to establish a culture of accountability for crimes involving children.
Holistic approach: The research concluded that a sustainable solution requires a multi-pronged approach that includes social protection, education, adequate housing for families, and stronger law enforcement.
Research papers from various institutions involved in the juvenile justice system were also published at the conference, detailing the challenges and proposing solutions to existing issues.