Children in contact with the justice system
UNODC's work in the area of both violence against children and justice for children is based on three mutually reinforcing pillars:
i) Data collection, research, and analytical work: this focuses on crime and the operation of criminal justice systems, as well as the development of standards and indicators for national crime and criminal justice information systems in relation to violence against children.
ii) Normative work: as the Secretariat of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the UN Crime Congress, UNODC assists Member States in developing United Nations standards and norms related to violence against children and justice for children.
iii) Operational work: UNODC implements technical cooperation projects to prevent child and youth involvement in crime, to strengthen child justice systems, and to promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of children in contact with the law and thus, to help end violence against children and enhance justice for children systems.
Crime and Violence Prevention: the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime makes concerted efforts aimed at preventing child involvement in crime and violence... read more
Juvenile Justice: UNODC seeks to ensure the appropriate treatment of children in conflict with the law (i.e. alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law)... read more
Child Victims and Witnesses: the Global Programme seeks to prevent violence and provide effective response when child victims and child witnesses of crime are in contact with the justice system... read more
Children Associated with Terrorist and Violent Extremist Groups: the Global Programme raises awareness of the need for effective prevention strategies and responses to violence against children committed by terrorist and violent extremist groups, including children who are affected by the Foreign Terrorist Fighters phenomenon... read more
Collection of Data Evidence - The collection and analysis of data and evidence is essential to establishing a broader evidence base on preventing and responding to violence against children and to inform, develop and enhance existing programmes and interventions in this area. In this regard, UNODC places a special emphasis on collecting evidence and carrying out research on the situation of the most vulnerable in society, especially children deprived of their liberty, and on the performance of the justice system in preventing and responding to violence against children.
Legal Advisory Services - The provision of legal advisory services are essential to define the boundaries of the justice system and legitimize its work. To ensure and promote child rights and to end violence against children, States need to adopt legislation that is in compliance with the provisions contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as other relevant international standards and norms. UNODC provides legal advisory services to review legislative and regulatory frameworks, identify gaps and recommend action to comply with the requirements of the international legal framework in the areas of violence against children and justice for children.
Support to Strategic Planning and to the Public Sector - The provision of advisory services and technical input to design, implement and monitor child justice reform strategies and action plans at national and local levels is critical to the success of efforts to end violence against children. UNODC provides support to review and improve organizational design and management processes relating to the implementation of violence against children and justice for children reform; develop strategies and establish mechanisms of coordination among government and judicial institutions; develop procedures and management of legal aid programs; develop and strengthen integrated database and tracking mechanisms for children's cases in the criminal justice system; and improve allocation of financial and other resource management.
Institution and Capacity Building - In order to end violence against children, it is important to strengthen institutions and build the capacity of professionals. UNODC develops national and local capacities and skills relevant to the areas of violence against children and justice for children. Key recipients of these activities include, judges, magistrates, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, detention facility staff, probation service staff, and social workers. Assistance may be provided to develop training curricula and deliver training activities on a variety of issues relevant to the areas of violence against children and justice for children.
Communication and Advocacy - Effective communication and advocacy strategies are crucial to raise awareness of the phenomenon of violence against children. Furthermore, given the influence culture and the norms of society play in the development of jurisprudence, ensuring the effective engagement of the media and civil society in communication and advocacy, is another key service provided by UNODC to support positive change.
Children's Knowledge and Participation - Based on the recognition that children must be considered as actors in their own protection through use of knowledge of their rights, and ways of avoiding and responding to risks, a key programmatic component for UNODC is to promote and ensure the effective participation of children in decisions and interventions affecting them.
Coordination and Collaboration - To take into account the fact that responsibilities are often spread across government agencies, with services delivered by local authorities, non-State providers, and community groups, UNODC acknowledges the essential need to ensure the coordination and collaboration of different stakeholders in efforts aimed to prevent and respond to violence against children in the field of crime prevention an criminal justice.
