The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) published a report on restorative justice and BAME children in the youth justice system in February 2017.
Drawing on a review of the existing evidence and qualitative interviews with BAME children and youth justice and restorative justice professionals, the report examined current practice and set out a series of recommendations for changes in policy and practice.
In particular, the report supported existing evidence that BAME children experience high levels of mistrust of the police and the criminal justice system, and this needs to be carefully considered when making the offer of restorative justice.
It is also essential that restorative justice practitioners are provided with specific training, where necessary, in engaging BAME children from different cultural and faith backgrounds.
Jon Collins, the RJC’s Chief Executive, said:
“Restorative justice can make a significant difference to the lives of BAME children who offend and their victims. The findings of this research can help to ensure that more of them access restorative justice and improve the experiences of those who do.”
Download the full report or a guide for practitioners.
