23/09/2026
This is a conversation we are a part of. Young people and the minimum age of criminal responsibility directly relates to human trafficking and exploitation. We need to meet these young people with compassion not criminalisation. An easy starting point is by raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility. It will take all of us to bring an end to exploitation of our children and young people. Thankful for all who continue to prioritise this issue.
Today Kathleen Laverty joined the Childhood on Trial conference at Queen's University Belfast.
It was a valuable chance to hear from people across the UK and Ireland who are working for a more compassionate response to children in contact with the law.
Ten is too young. A child of 10 needs care, guidance and the chance to put things right. When children are facing poverty, trauma or unmet needs, our response should be support and early intervention.
It is heartbreaking that a Petition of Concern was used to block the call to raise Northern Ireland’s age of criminal responsibility.
We had an opportunity to bring our law closer to international children’s rights standards, and we must keep working towards it.
Thank you to the Children's Law Centre and everyone who brought today’s conversation together.
The determination in the room gives us hope. Our children deserve better, and ten is too young!