ASBO - serious potential for criminalising children

We tend to believe we live in the United Kingdom and that we are a homogenous society - the response by the Authorities to ASBOs is not uniform....In June 2004 The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland published a response to the Anti-Social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 in June 2004. (They don't always put cameras on lamp post in NI)

8. Conclusion

8.1 The potential criminalisation of children and young people in societies and communities that traditionally have not resourced support and care for those children can be construed as a “double-punishment” for the child or young person. In an age where governments are to be commended for taking a “social cohesion” or “community cohesion” approach to eradicating community conflict and tension, the use of ASBOs may be seen to contradict the social justice model.
8.2 The Equality Commission recognises that often, community conflict arises where inequalities have not been adequately addressed and therefore welcomes targeted action and resources to address disadvantage at community level, which in many circumstances can alleviate anti-social behaviour. The Commission believes that this is a more humane and effective means of addressing the issue.
8.4 The Commission does not consider that ASBOs reflect the particular political, social, economic and community context and structures in Northern Ireland and their marked difference to those in GB. The Commission does not consider ASBOs to be appropriate for Northern Ireland and believes that there is serious potential for criminalising those children, young people and families who already experience disadvantage and are therefore a draconian approach to a community cohesion problem.

Views that are perhaps not restricted to the special circumstances of Northern Ireland.