Rough Justice for Young People? event

More than 100 young people and youth workers came together in London in July to explore the key issues of the Youth Justice in Action campaign and share their experiences of justice systems with other young people from Honduras, Sierra Leone and South Africa.

The three-day event featured presentations, workshops and parliamentary lobbying training. “It was excellent to meet young people from around the world”, says one young person. “The sessions were led by people who could tell their true story.”

Unique opportunity

For Stephanie Baslington from YMCA Training, the event was “a unique opportunity for young people to share their experiences and thoughts on youth justice in the context of the global campaign. It allowed young people to broaden their horizons and raise their own aspirations.”

The event culminated in a mass lobby of Parliament where the young campaigners had the chance to get their opinions and ideas across to MPs and call on them to support the campaign.

Dan from Stoke-on-Trent YMCA wanted his MP to speak to the Head of Police: “I want the police to work with young people to come up with activities and offer them something positive to do rather than get involved in crime.”

Importance of alternatives to custody

Michael from Norwich YMCA met with his MP, the former Home Secretary Charles Clarke. “Mr Clarke was very supportive of the campaign – he seemed to recognise the importance of alternatives to custody for young offenders,” he says.

Others had become activists because of a less positive experience. “We wrote to our MP about the campaign and didn’t get a response,” commented Sammy-Jo from Kingston and Wimbledon YMCA. “I’ve come here to ask why he didn’t reply.”

Just the beginning

This was just the beginning – many more events and lobbying opportunities will be taking place throughout the year as young people across the world take action in their own countries to change the way decision makers think about young people in conflict with the law.

And it’s clear that the young campaigners won’t stop until they get the change they want: for governments, police and media to concentrate on preventing young people from getting involved in crime and giving them the support they need – not punishing them harder.