The Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill
Equalities and Human Rights Committee Christina McKelvie Alex Cole-Hamilton Mary Fee Fulton MacGregor Gail Ross Oliver Mundell Annie Wells
Why raise the age from 8 to 12? The UNCRC considers 8 to be too young Globally, the average is 12 They recommend that 12 should be the minimum It would still be among the lowest in Europe The UK has been criticised for setting its Age of Criminal Responsibility so low 8 in Scotland 10 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Investigating the issue There are 13 cards with arguments on the issue Some have information Children’s Hearings Ages in other countries Some support raising the age Neuroscience Life chances Inconsistent standards for age milestones Some suggest reasons we might want to be cautious Gang use of minors Young children who commit serious crimes Wish you weren’t here… Wish you weren’t here…
Should the Age of Criminal Responsibility be raised from 8 to a minimum of 12? Yes 2 No 3 Abstain
What should the age of criminal responsibility be? 12? 13? 14? 15? 16?