Offences Against Children And Juvenile Justice: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Contemporary Legal Frameworks And Evidence-Based Reform Strategies

Written by: Chow Ananda Mungyak, 4^th Year Student, B.A.LL.B., School of Law, Lovely Professional University

Abstract

This research paper examines the contemporary landscape of offences against children and juvenile justice systems through a comprehensive analysis of legal frameworks, crime statistics, and evidence-based interventions across multiple jurisdictions. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, analysing quantitative crime data from 2017 to 2024 and evaluating the effectiveness of various rehabilitation and punishment-based approaches to juvenile justice. Key findings reveal that crimes against children have increased by 26% in India between 2017 and 2022, with sexual offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act showing particularly concerning growth patterns. The research demonstrates that rehabilitation-focused interventions achieve significantly superior outcomes compared to traditional punitive approaches, with interpersonal skills training and behavioural programs showing 25-35% reductions in recidivism rates. However, substantial implementation gaps persist between international normative standards and domestic operational practices. The study identifies critical challenges, including inadequate inter-agency coordination, insufficient therapeutic support services for child victims, and over-reliance on detention-based responses for juvenile offenders. Recommendations include expanding evidence-based rehabilitation programs, strengthening child-friendly legal procedures, enhancing victim support systems, and improving coordination between law enforcement, social services, and community organisations. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting transformative approaches to child protection and juvenile justice that prioritise rehabilitation, restoration, and rights-based frameworks over purely punitive responses.

Keywords: juvenile justice, child protection, POCSO Act, rehabilitation, recidivism, restorative justice, legal frameworks, evidence-based interventions

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Volume 1 | Issue 6