Advertisement

Library photo
Library photo

Child-friendly justice system

Today, we will discuss “child-friendly justice system” as part of the Junior Graphic campaign against  child abuse.


This  might seem so abstract and  the mere mention of it here may make you  wonder what it has to do with you.

In fact, a child-friendly justice system has a lot to do with you children and we will talk about it so long as children are unable to seek justice for wrongs done to them, especially while abusers continue to walk free.

Imagine the scenario of a child defiled by an influential person in a community who is unable to seek justice against that person because he is using his influence to block any avenue of the case being heard in court.

Again, imagine a scenario where because of the lack of money to pay for medical bills, the perpetrator in a defilement case walks free because the child victim and her parents cannot afford to pay the medical bill to help in the prosecution’s evidence.

It is painful, isn’t it? Yes it is, and that is the reality.

Children are being brutalised and have had their rights seriously abused, yet they are unable to seek justice because they fear they would be ostracised by their families and communities when they go ahead to report those crimes.

I believe with these few examples, you now understand why it is important to talk about a child-friendly justice system.

Day of the African Child

The African Union recognised its importance and that is why this year, as part of the celebration of the Day of the African Child marked on Tuesday, June 16, it chose the theme: “Access to a Child-Friendly Justice System in Africa.”  

The Day of the African Child is celebrated each year on June 16 to commemorate the student uprising in 1976 in Soweto, South Africa, where students who marched in protest against apartheid-inspired education were brutally murdered.

A child-friendly system

So how do we ensure children have a child-friendly justice system? Below are a few of them:

• Children should be able to file complaints or legal proceedings against their abusers with their identities kept away from members of the public.

• Court cases involving children should be  dealt quickly with by the courts.

• Abused children should have free access to medical care and legal council.

º Child sexual abuse cases and all forms of abuse cases should not be settled at home.

Influential people such as chiefs and opinion leaders who intervene in such situations should put a stop to that habit and must be reported to the police.

• Children should not be ostracised by society just because they reported their abusers.



Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |