Securing public safety, access to justice and restorative justice approaches

Citizen security is closely dependent on respect for the rule of law, transparent and accountable institutions, and community engagement in public safety efforts. It requires a comprehensive approach based on collaboration between local violence prevention groups and police to identify challenges and promote intervention strategies. These strategies should aim to: promote children’s access to justice, and to counselling and reporting mechanisms to address incidents of violence; avoid the stigmatization, criminalization and detention of children at risk; promote programmes to prevent the involvement and support the reintegration of children affected by armed violence, including those who are members of gangs and criminal networks; create whistleblower systems to interrupt institutional violence and arms trafficking, supported by effective accountability systems and; develop initiatives to promote disarmament of communities and promote a change in attitudes towards guns and tolerance to violence. Moreover, it requires restorative justice processes to address those affected, through mediation, conciliation and reintegration strategies.

Related Subject(s): Children and Youth