THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA ON JUVENILE OFFENDERS: A STUDY OF THE PAKISTANI JUSTICE SYSTEM

Abstract

The paper explores ways through which trauma affects young offenders in Pakistani justice system and the relationship between ACEs and delinquency. Based on interviews with consultants, official documents, digitally collected data from juvenile rehabilitation centers and legal cases, the work determines the trauma as a critical predictor of psychological-behavioral state of young offenders. Studies show that instances of abuse and neglect and other violent events directly enhance the chances that the juveniles will be flowing into the justice system. Moreover, there are systems’ barriers including insufficient mental health resources, lack of enough rehabilitation centres and enforcing legal systems that worsen the problem. This paper calls for more effective response to juvenile delinquency based on trauma informed practices for justice system players such as the police, judges, and social workers. In policy making for child born offenders, the research recommends policy changes and adoption of restorative justice that focus more on behavior change as opposed to punishment. These steps are intended to lower the juvenile offenders’ rate of reoffending and return of offenders to society as responsible members. This study adds to the existing literature and debate regarding juvenile justice reform in developing countries in general and the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular as a starting point for future investigation and policy making.

Keywords: trauma, juvenile offenders, Pakistani justice system, adverse childhood experiences, rehabilitation.