Boulanger argued that adolescents below the age of 14 should fall under the criminal law relating to young offenders. Employees of SCAS, which is run by the prosecutor’s office, often see cases involving even younger children implicated in crimes. She thus believes that repressive measures can also be used to bring about change in younger offenders.
The planned reform of the juvenile justice system will significantly change SCAS’ workload. Juvenile justice and protection are to be separated into two different laws, which will limit their cases to those affecting young offenders aged 14 to 21.
Thus far, employees were also tasked with helping children and youths living in unfavourable conditions and in need of support at home.
One of the arguments in favour of the reform is that fewer children will have to be placed in foster care. However, Boulanger underlined that SCAS already makes a lot of effort to avoid separating children from their parents, which is always a priority.
