Youth Justice

Addressing the needs and rights of young people in conflict with the law and supporting young people at risk of offending is an important area of work for Y Care International.

Juvenile justice provides a set of key principles within international law on conditions and circumstances of arrest and detention to be upheld in dealing with young offenders and for community-based solutions to be sought above detention, wherever possible. Yet in many countries, youth justice systems are weak and systems to prevent offending and re-integrate young offenders are poorly resourced and under-prioritised.

Y Care International supports its YMCA partners to work with at-risk youth and young offenders, offering legal representation to ensure a fair trial, counselling and therapy, providing access to education and recreational activities, vocational training and enabling family reunion, giving young people the chance to be reintegrated into the community.

Y Care International has been running the Youth Justice in Action campaign since 2006. Find out more at youthjusticeinaction.org