Initiative Launched to Address Young People’s ‘Trauma’ and Interactions with Police

An initiative is encouraging young individuals to participate in a program intended to “empower” their engagements with law enforcement. According to an expert, adolescents constitute the demographic most likely to encounter possible misconduct by officers and endure “potential trauma”. To address this concern, young people are invited to complete an anonymous online survey, available until 13 December. The findings from this survey are expected to influence policing strategies throughout England and Wales. Rebecca, a police youth panel member based in Swindon, articulated her primary objective as ensuring “everybody to feel safe when they see police”. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) Youth Panel seeks to enhance confidence in the police complaints process and foster better communication between law enforcement officers and adolescents. This panel utilizes insights gathered from its yearly survey and the experiences of its members to inform police training programs and contribute to the education of frontline officers. Rebecca, a Year 11 pupil attending Cirencester Kingshill Secondary School, has been involved with the IOPC Panel for 12 months. She further stated, “I wanted to make a difference. I’m concerned about knife crime, it’s very dangerous at the moment.” Comprising 38 young individuals from various regions of England and Wales, the panel is responsible for developing the annual survey. An IOPC spokesperson indicated that studies reveal young people possess one of “the lowest levels of confidence in the police complaints system”. They elaborated, “As a result, in 2018 we established our youth panel – where young people develop recommendations and solutions to improve the police complaint system so it better meets their needs.” The spokesperson noted that the panel has engaged in peer outreach, conducted workshops with police, and carries out a yearly survey of young people’s perspectives. They also added, “The youth panel provides a vital youth voice to the organisation holding both us and the police to account.” Anya Hutin, 25, the project co-ordinator for the IOPC Youth Panel, stated that “young people are one of the most disempowered sections in society”. She further mentioned that they are also the “highest group to experience possible misconduct by the police and to not feel comfortable with their treatment”. Ms Hutin explained that these sessions are structured to assist police in comprehending the “anxiety” and “possible trauma they [young people] may have with police”. Furthermore, an annual report is issued, drawing from the youth engagement sessions and the survey results.