Large numbers of young people are currently incarcerated in Peru, regardless of the penal code’s provisions promoting an alternative to detention for minors.


Solutions proposed by Terre des hommes

Juvenile justice – Terre des Hommes (Tdh) offers legal assistance to young people and helps them escape a life of crime. Tdh acts on their behalf, demonstrating to the government and local councils that there is an alternative to incarceration.

Cooperation with local authorities – Tdh offers local authorities the benefit of its knowledge through a specialist journal on juvenile justice published in collaboration with local partner, Encuentros: www.justiciaparacrecer.org

Prevention of chronic malnutrition – Tdh and its partners assist pregnant women and young mothers in some of Lima’s poorest neighbourhoods, by, amongst other things, contributing to the medical costs of the pregnancy and supporting women’s groups.


Results achieved in 2008

Juvenile justice – Tdh supported 200 teenagers in conflict with the law through its multidisciplinary team, consisting of a lawyer, a social worker and a psychologist. These young people have benefited from educational and social measures that favour integration into family and society, rather than incarceration with adult criminals.

Cooperation with local authorities – Tdh has increased awareness amongst 600 police officers, lawyers, judges, teachers and social workers through ongoing training on the problems of children living on the street.

Emergency aid – In the 18 months following the Pisco earthquake in September 2007, Tdh offered psychosocial support to more than 2500 children, and provided access to drinking water and better hygiene for more than 1000 families.


Challenges to be taken up

Unemployment – In spite of positive economic growth over the last few years, unemployment in Peru is high, and there remains a significant gap between rich and poor. The main victims are children and young people who have no access to the education system, which is essential if they are to improve their economic situation. Crime – Crime in Peru has increased in recent years. Gangs (known as “pandillas”) control poorer neighbourhoods and recruit children and young people to work in drug trafficking. Given unemployment rates, it is difficult to convince children and young people that crime is not the answer to their problems.


STORY - Geraldine, gang recruit

Geraldine was 4 when her father walked out on the family. Her mother had to bring her and her three brothers up alone in a cardboard shack. With their mother having to work all night, the children were forced to fend for themselves. They were recruited by a local gang, who controlled the neighbourhood.

Members of these gangs pressurize each other, encouraging each other to commit crimes which they can then show off. It was against this background that Geraldine committed her first handbag snatch at the age of 15. Witnesses reported what they had seen, and she was arrested and taken to the police station.
Thanks to the good relationship that exists between Tdh and the police, social workers were immediately informed and they got to the police station as quickly as possible. A typical encounter then took place, involving a discussion behind closed doors, and then the parents being contacted. The victim of the crime was also consulted to get a better understanding of what took place. This procedure follows a set pattern, aimed at establishing the reasons that drove the young person to commit a criminal act and to help him or her mount a defence.
Thanks to the efforts of Tdh and its partner, Encuentros, the authorities agreed not to send Geraldine to prison, but to hand her over to her mother. The teenager now has to attend the prosecutor’s office on a regular basis and has been given community service. This process has enabled Geraldine to reflect on the gravity of what she did and to avoid going to prison, which is well-known to increase the likelihood of future criminality.