During the war young people witnessed and took part in violence and crime. Many lost their parents and other family members. This meant that young people had to fend for themselves, and many turned to crime to do so. There has also been a rise in the number of child prostitutes – often the case in areas where there has been conflict.
However, there has not been any increase in youth justice facilities. There is only one youth detention centre in the whole of Sierra Leone, and two remand centres. In areas without these facilities, young people are held with adults, which breaks international standards.
Delays in the legal system mean that before their trial young people are held for unacceptably long periods in remand centres. These centres have a very poor record in the way they treat children. There have been cases of violence and torture.
A new law called the Child Rights Act was passed by the Parliament of Sierra Leone in 2007. This Act shows progress in recognising international standards. But plenty still needs to be done to put this law into practice. Young people from the YMCA of Sierra Leone have carried out research into the issues of youth justice in their country.
Download it here
