'It was like more easier': Rangatahi (Young People) and Their whānau (Family) Talk About Communication Assistance in the New Zealand Youth Justice System. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Howard, Kelly; McCann, Clare; Dudley, Margaret
• Is Part Of: Youth justice. Volume 21:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 210
• Page End: 229
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: children's rights -- communication assistance -- defendant -- Evidence Act -- family group conference -- intermediaries -- Talking Mat -- vulnerable -- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child -- youth justice; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Youth -- Legal status, laws, etc -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Juvenile corrections -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 364.360941
• DOI: 10.1177/1473225420923763
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-2254

Abstract

This qualitative study gives voice to rangatahi (young people) and their whānau (families) (n = 10) who have experienced communication assistance in the New Zealand youth justice system. Communication assistance is a form of specialist support for witnesses and defendants who have been identified as having communication difficulties; and is modelled on the role of the intermediary in England and Wales. The findings overall suggest that communication assistance has a valuable and ongoing role to play in the NZ youth justice system, and may be one means of addressing the rights and needs of those with communication difficulties who offend.