Handbook on Children Recruited and Exploited by Terrorist and Violent Extremist Groups: The Role of the Justice System

Coram International was contracted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to produce a Handbook for legal practitioners and policy-makers on practical responses to address the increased recruitment and use of children by violent extremist and terrorist groups.

The team conducted socio-legal research into the push and pull factors behind child recruitment, as well as the legal frameworks governing the recruitment and use of children by these groups. The study also examined measures countering violent extremism, as well as the treatment of children associated with violent extremist and terrorist groups in the justice system. This study also assesses de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of children formerly associated with these groups to make concrete recommendations for practitioners.