Important note

This toolkit adopts a perspective firmly grounded in child rights and child protection. However, this perspective is compatible with the main objectives of the criminal justice system overall (to prevent crime and to create a peaceful, law-abiding society). The toolkit also addresses issues of accountabilty, and the perspectives of victims/survivors and community safety. The toolkit is therefore relevant to all those involved in crime prevention and justice, not just those specialising in children's issues. It is acknowledged that in case by case situations relating to diversion and alternatives, the best interests of the child need to be balanced against the interests of victims/suvivors and society in general. These issues are discussed further in the following sections:

• 'Public safety & recidivism / What is the purpose of the criminal justice system?'
  
• 'Restorative justice - definition and discussion'

The introduction section is divided into 2 parts:

A. About the toolkit

This gives an overview of the aims and intended audience of the toolkit and how to use the toolkit.

B. The bigger picture

This shows how diversion and alternatives to detention fit into the broader context of UNICEF's Child Protection Strategy - notably the 'Protective Environment Framework'. It also examines the place of diversion and alternatives within the context of justice for children as a whole. Finally, it takes a brief look at other relevant UN and regional initiatives.

Follow the links on the right for more information.

Some advice...

Please note that when the term 'alternatives' is used throughout this toolkit, it refers to 'alternatives to detention / deprivation of liberty'.

Readers who are less familiar with key concepts relating to child protection, justice for children and children in conflict with the law ('juvenile justice') may find it useful to first look at the 'bigger picture' diagram as well as the full glossary of terms for help in clarifying any unfamiliar terms and concepts and before continuing through the toolkit. These documents, amongst others, are available for reference throughout the toolkit in the main menu section 'Key reference documents'.

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[Introduction]