RJC publishes report on BAME children’s experience of restorative justice

The RJC is pleased to announce the publication of a new research report - Restorative justice and black, Asian and minority ethnic children in the youth justice system.

The report is being launched at an event in London today with speakers including Lord McNally, the chair of the Youth Justice Board. 

Written by Dr Muna Sabbagh and funded by Barrow Cadbury Trust, the report is the result of an eight-month research project looking at BAME children who have offended and their access to and experience of restorative justice.

Drawing on a review of the existing evidence and qualitative interviews with BAME children and youth justice and restorative justice professionals, the report examines current practice and sets out a series of recommendations for changes in policy and practice.

In particular, the report supports 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: “This research will contribute to the current focus on ensuring that the criminal justice system better meets the needs of BAME offenders.

“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.”

The full report can be found here and a guide for practitioners working with BAME children can be found here.