Contribute to Reinforce and Enhance the Rights of Children Who Are Suspects or Accused Persons in Criminal Proceedings: CREW

Programme(s): Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme-REC Programme 2014-2020

Topic(s): REC-RCHI-PROF-AG-2019

Type of action: REC Action Grant

Funded under: Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme

Project ID: 878496

Objective: CREW was jointly conceived as a national project by DCI Italy and the Italian Ministry of Justice following the implementation of a previous EU project called “My Lawyer, My Rights” with the aim of supporting the implementation of EU Directive 800/2016 in Italy. The scope is to contribute to achieve that all children involved in criminal proceedings as accused or suspect persons have access to a child-friendly juvenile justice system that considers their individual needs and conditions to determine tailored measures aimed at their positive and harmonic personal development within society. Specific objectives: a) contribute to harmonize juvenile justice practices in the 29 Italian judicial districts according to the child-friendly justice principles; b) systemize individual assessments through the development of a national methodology; c) build the capacity and raise the awareness of professionals involved in the individual assessment. Main activities, divided into 4 interrelated WPs: 1.MANAGEMENT & COORDINATION 2.NATIONAL HARMONISATION PROCESS •Inter-agency working group meetings •National questionnaire survey •Policy paper •Monitoring checklist Main achievements: •Relevant data collected •Judicial practices harmonized 3.SYSTEMATIZATION OF INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS •Exchange and study visit in another EU MS •3 seminars with practitioners •Consultation with children •National individual assessment methodology (Booklet) Main achievements: •Individual assessment methodology available to judicial and other practitioners •Views and experiences of children taken into full account 4.CAPACITY-BUILDING AND AWARENESS-RAISING •3 MeetUps •national presentation •Final EU seminar Main achievements: •Capacities and awareness of judicial and other practitioners enhanced •National methodology promoted for its use Direct beneficiaries: -30 children and young adults (indirectly 1400; potentially 8000 x year) -210 practitioners -Juvenile justice services (108 units) -29 judicial districts.