Here is the rewritten article:
Research suggests that children who have committed a crime are more likely to reform and lead productive lives if they undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation program tailored to their specific needs, rather than being processed through the traditional criminal justice system.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, explained that the proposed diversion program outlined in the Draft Child Bill is designed to provide a supportive environment for children who are brought to police stations for alleged crimes, with the ultimate goal of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
“There is overwhelming scientific evidence and empirical data that clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of diverting children from the criminal justice system, resulting in significantly improved outcomes for their rehabilitation and future prospects,” Ms Tabuya emphasized.
Addressing recent concerns expressed by the Fiji Police Force regarding the proposed increase in the criminal responsibility age from 10 to 14, the minister acknowledged the validity of their worries, but stressed that research has consistently shown that children have a better chance of reforming if they are rehabilitated outside of the traditional justice system.
“In fact, the Fiji Police Force should welcome this change, as it will ultimately reduce their workload and alleviate the burden on the justice system, allowing them to focus on more serious cases,” Ms Tabuya pointed out.
“What the Child Bill proposes is a diversion process that immediately steers children between the ages of 10 and 14, who are presented at a police station for a crime, away from the criminal justice system and into a specialized rehabilitation program, designed to address the root causes of their behavior and provide them with the support and guidance they need to reform.”
Currently, children who commit crimes are often sent to juvenile centers, where they are incarcerated, a approach that has been shown to be largely ineffective in promoting rehabilitation, with research indicating that children who are imprisoned are three to four times more likely to become repeat offenders.
“In contrast, our proposed approach is grounded in the principles outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Fiji has ratified, and is focused on providing children with the support and services they need to reform and become productive members of society, thereby reducing the likelihood of recidivism.”
Ms Tabuya cautioned that if children are not provided with the necessary support and rehabilitation at an early age, it can have long-term consequences, making it exponentially more challenging to address the issues when they become adults.
