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Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency [Fundamental principles] [Scope] [General prevention] [Socialization] [Social policy] [Legislation] [Research] Adopted by the General Assembly as resolution 45/112 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES The prevention of juvenile delinquency is an essential part of crime prevention in society. By engaging in lawful, socially useful activities and adopting a humanistic orientation, young persons can develop non-criminogenic attitudes. Prevention of juvenile delinquency requires efforts
by the entire society to ensure the harmonious development of adolescents, with respect for and promotion of their personality from early childhood. A child-centered orientation should be pursued. Young persons should have an active role and partnership within society and should not be considered mere objects of socialization or control. Progressive delinquency prevention policies should avoid criminalizing a child for behavior that does not cause serious damage to the development of
the child or harm to others. Policies and measures should involve: Community-based services should be developed for the prevention of juvenile delinquency, particularly where no agencies have yet been established. Formal agencies of social control should be utilized only as a last resort. These Guidelines should be interpreted and implemented within the framework of all United Nations instruments and norms relating to the rights, interests and well-being of all children and young persons, and implemented in the context of the economic, social and cultural conditions in each Member State. Comprehensive prevention plans should be instituted at every level of government and include the following: Family Since the family is the central unit responsible for the primary socialization of children,
efforts should be made to preserve the integrity of the family and extended family, including adequate day-care facilities. Families should be provided with necessary assistance in resolving conditions of instability or conflict. When a settled family environment is lacking and efforts of the community and extended family to assist parents have failed, foster care and adoption should be considered. Such placements should replicate, to the extent possible, a stable family environment and
avoid the problem of "foster drift". Special attention should be given to children affected by rapid and uneven economic, social and cultural change, in particular the children of migrant and refugee families, and innovative and socially constructive modalities for the socialization of children should be designed. Measures should be taken to help families learn about parental roles and obligations and encourage their involvement in family and community-based activities. Education Governments are under an obligation to make public education accessible to all young persons. Educational systems should devote attention to the following: Educational systems should work with parents, community organizations and agencies concerned with young persons. Young persons and their families should be informed about the law and their rights and responsibilities, as well as the universal value system, including United Nations instruments.
Particular attention should be extended to young persons who are at social risk, utilizing specialized programs and educational materials. Attention is also to be given to policies and strategies for the prevention of alcohol, drug and other substance abuse. Schools should serve as resource and referral centers for medical, counseling and other services to young persons, particularly those with special needs or suffering from abuse or neglect. Teachers, adults and students need to be
sensitized to the problems and perceptions of young people belonging to underprivileged, minority or low-income groups. School systems should attempt to meet and promote the highest standards, and regular monitoring and evaluation by appropriate professional organizations should be ensured. Extracurricular activities of interest to young persons should be developed by school systems in cooperation with community groups. Special assistance should be given to students who find it
difficult to comply with attendance codes and to "'dropouts". School policies and rules should be fair, and students should be represented in school policy, including policy on discipline and decision-making. Community Community-based services which respond to the interests of young persons, including community development
centers and recreational facilities, should be developed and strengthened. Adequate shelter should be provided for young persons who are no longer able to live at home or have no homes. Services should be provided to deal with the difficult transition of young persons to adulthood, including special programs for young drug abusers that emphasize care, counseling, assistance and therapy. Voluntary organizations serving young people are to receive financial and other support. Local
youth organizations should be created and strengthened and given participatory status in management of community affairs. They should encourage youth to organize collective and voluntary projects, particularly to benefit young persons in need of assistance. Government agencies are to provide necessary services for homeless or street children. A wide range of recreational facilities and services of interest to young persons should be established and made easily accessible. Mass media The mass media should ensure that young persons have access to information from a diversity of notional and international sources. It should portray the positive contributions of young people to society. Information on services, facilities and opportunities for young persons should be disseminated. Mass media in general, and film and
television in particular, should minimize the portrayal of pornography, drugs and violence, display violence and exploitation unfavorably, avoid demeaning and degrading presentations, especially of children, women and interpersonal relations, and promote egalitarian principles and roles. The mass media should use its power for drug abuse prevention by relaying consistent messages through a balanced approach and by promoting effective drug awareness campaigns. Government agencies should give high priority to plans and programs for young persons and provide sufficient funds and resources for adequate medical and mental health care, nutrition, housing, and substance abuse prevention. Institutionalization of young persons should be a measure of last resort and for the minimum necessary period.
Criteria for intervention ofthis sort should be strictly defined and limited to situations where thechild or young person: a) has suffered harm inflicted by parents or guardians; b) has been sexually or physically abused; c) has been neglected, abandoned or exploited by the parents or guardians; d) is threatened by physical or moral danger due to the behavior of parents; and e) is in jeopardy of serious physical or psychological danger manifested inhis or her own behaviour and neither the
parents or guardians nor thejuvenile himself or herself can meet the danger by means other than institutionalization. Government agencies should provide young persons with the opportunityof continuing in full-time education, funded by the State where the parentsor guardians are unable to support the young persons, and of receiving work experience. Programs to prevent delinquency should be planned and developed onthe basis of scientific research and periodically monitored, evaluated and
adjusted. Scientific information should be disseminated to professionals and the public at large about the sort of behavior or situation which indicates ormay result in victimization or abuse of young persons. Generally, participation of young persons in programmes should be voluntary, and young persons should be involved in formulation andimplementation of youth programmes. Governments should take measures to prevent domestic violence againstyoung persons and ensure fair treatment
for victims. LEGISLATION AND JUVENILE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION Specific laws and procedures should be enacted to protect the rights and well-being of all young persons, including legislation against the victimization, abuse, exploitation and use for criminal activity ofchildren and young persons. No child or young person
should be subjected to harsh or degradingcorrection measures or punishment at home, in schools or in any otherinstitution. Legislation and enforcement should restrict and control accessibilityof weapons to children and young persons. Any conduct not considered an offence or penalized if committed by an adult should not be considered an offense or penalized if committed by a young person. Consideration should be given to establishing an office of ombudsman or similar independent
organ, to ensure that the status, rights and interests of young persons are upheld and proper referral to available services is made. Law enforcement personnel and other relevant personnel, of both sexes, should be trained to respond to the special needs of young persons and be made familiar with programs and referral possibilities for the diversion of young persons from the justice system. Legislation should protect children and young persons from drug abused and drug traffickers.
RESEARCH, POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary efforts should be made to promote interaction between economic, social, educational and health agencies and services, the justice system, youth, community and development agencies and other relevant institutions. Exchange of information and
experience and technical and scientific cooperation in practical and policy-related matters should be intensified at the national, regional and international levels and within the United Nations system. The United Nations Secretariat should play an active role in research, formulation of policy options and review of practical implementation and asa source of reliable information. | |||||
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