Scope Articles

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The justice system needs more sympathy for victims of child sexual abuse

8 Mar 2022

Children and young people who report abuse are left isolated by a justice system that is not adjusted to their needs. The Children’s Commissioner wants that to change. This could mean huge reform of how criminal trials work.

Portugal, Scotland and the case for decriminalising drug use

13 Jan 2022

Would substance abuse be less of a problem if the police were less involved? This is a complicated question but evidence suggests that Northern Ireland could do better.

One of the worst consequences of lockdown is an increase in domestic abuse

7 Apr 2020

Frontline charity workers who work to tackle violence and other abusive behaviour in the home have been designated key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Global goals lack local focus

23 May 2019

The UN Sustainable Development Goals are nearly four years old. High-level strategies for the world (or 193 UN member nations) to build a “better and more sustainable future”. Too few people know what they are.

The Justice Department wants your views on how best to beat internet grooming and child abuse

28 Feb 2019

How justice agencies and the law tackle online child sexual exploitation is evolving. Common availability of the internet is only about 20 years old – while the reach and nature of usage has changed massively in the last decade.

Helping young people in difficult circumstances is challenging – but organisations are well placed to assist each other

11 Jan 2019

Partnership doesn’t have to mean joint projects – it can just be about regularly sharing ideas. The response of several youth groups brought together by the Urban Villages Initiative shows the value of strategic co-operation.

The justice system needs to change – like it has many times before

23 Nov 2018

Key principles of our justice system could be bent or broken in cases of sexual violence. Perhaps they need to be – and, really, that’s nothing new.

Justice is rare for victims of rape

15 Nov 2018

The criminal justice system is failing rape victims in Northern Ireland. The third sector provides good support for anyone affected – but structural reform is necessary. Scope speaks with Victim Support NI.

Fighting back against violence

Fight for Peace is working in Northern Irleand

17 Aug 2018

A new report from the Big Lottery Fund makes a good effort at illustrating what prevention and early intervention actually mean, when it comes to reducing youth violence.

Children in NI face plenty of problems (part two)

5 Jul 2018

The second half of our look at NICCY’s Statement on Children’s Rights in NI focuses on safeguarding – including protections from child sexual exploitation and bullying, and fair treatment for those subject to immigration control.