Child Justice Bill re-introduced

By Tina George
05 February 2008

The draft of the Child Justice Bill 49 of 2002 has been re-introduced into parliament and is currently under a two-day hearing for submissions from over 15 children organisations for it’s finalisation and implementation.

According to the Child Justice Alliance this piece of legislation aims to respond to child offenders through a separate procedural justice system for children and hold them accountable for their action while creating public safety.

“The Bill will close the revolving door of criminality,” says spokesperson for the Community Law Project of the University of the Western Cape, Jaqueline Gallinetti.

However the Bill excludes certain children from equal access to essential services by their age and the degree of the offence committed which the alliance is greatly concerned about.

“We therefore want implemented in the Bill, that every child be granted access to individual assessment and be considered for diversion whereby their criminal charge is removed,” says Gallinetti

Gallinitti added that they are looking forward to the new implementation as it will reduce overall levels of crime any even prevent crime committed by children.