This investigation draws on a range of previous research and studies, without which it would not have been possible to identify indicators that are valid across Europe. In addition to this, the strong commitment of all EU institutions and Member States to promote, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in all relevant EU policies and to turn it into concrete results is a key element to reaffirm our commitment with the development of a coherent approach through the juvenile justice indicators.
The objective of this project is to identify significant indicators on the basis of which one can establish whether juvenile justice systems in Europe are working in accordance with international standards. Furthermore, the presented report aims at determining the means by which these indicators, once identified, can be surveyed. Developing these indicators in a manner that considers the different forms of state interventions and responses to juvenile delinquency that exist across Europe is particularly challenging and to this extent, obtaining the respective data becomes a rather complex endeavor. On the one hand, the questions need to be formulated rather generically/generally in order to be applicable to all the different system variants in Europe. At the same time, a certain degree of precision and specificity is required as well in order to make sure the yielded data are significant, meaningful and even usable. Indicators can only be determined once, in a prior step, the responses to juvenile delinquency that are even available in a given country have been identified. Then, in a second step, one can review whether the respective standards are being met in theory and practice for the different responses that are available.
Juvenile Justice Indicators for Europe: How to Measure Juvenile Justice
https://issuu.com/ijjo/docs/summary_juvenile_justice_indicators_for_europe_200
European Juvenile Justice Council.
A European think tank composed of 81 members from the 27 EU Member states, and as well with specific European and international observers and experts. (Three sectors: Public Administrations, Academic and NGO)