Basic Rights for Young People

The kinds of issues that young people need to deal with regards to their basic human rights include:

• School and bullying
• Proving age
• Sexual, racial, religious and disability discrimination
• Choosing their religion
• Law breaking and being punished

School and Bullying

If a young person is facing problems at school or college as a result of taunting or bullying behaviour they have to follow certain processes to make sure that they get help. The first step is to tell someone such as a teacher or parent what is happening. If they cannot do this then telephone help lines such as Childline are available for confidential anonymous calls. They can be contacted free on the 24 hour advice line number 0800 1111 or at their website www.childline.org.uk

Proving Age

One of the biggest problems that young people face is proof of age. Often it is difficult to tell the age of a child who may look older or younger than they actually are. As a result it may be difficult to do certain things until age has been checked, for example when traveling to school using public transport or when buying alcohol, proof of age is needed.

Often young people receive subsidised travel with young person’s rail cards or bus passes. They can apply for these with a birth certificate. In some cases people over the age of eighteen who look too young to buy alcohol or enter an establishment that sells alcohol might need to show identification. Cards can be obtained from a local authority or college.

Sexual, Racial, Religious and Disability Discrimination

It is illegal to discriminate against a person due to their racial origins, religious inclination or if they have a disability. In all cases harassment constitutes verbal or physical abuse, threatening behaviour and damage to property or belongings by use of graffiti. Sexual discrimination is based upon giving unfair and unequal treatment to one gender than the other, although both may be equally competent in that given situation. If a young person suffers any of these kinds of discrimination they are within their rights to take action against the perpetrators of the discrimination. This can include taking individuals to court or tribunals. To get more information it is sensible to seek professional advice from a solicitor.

Choosing Religion or Sexual Preference

Children are usually too young to decide what religion they will follow, and that decision is made for them by their parents. If the child has enough of an understanding about what religion they want to have they can decide to change it.

Law Breaking and Being Punished

If a young person breaks the law they cannot be dealt with in the same way as an adult would be. If they are under the age of eighteen they will be given different rights to protect them. For example if they commit a crime for which they are charged they will not have to go to prison, but maybe have to be taken to a young offenders institution. Punishment may also include community service.

The laws against corporal punishment also mean that children cannot be punished when they are at school. Teachers can try to restrain a child or young person if they feel that they are going to cause harm or damage to another person or to property.