Kuala Lampur, Aug. 23 -- Many jurisdictions have explored various strategies to reduce the number of persons being subjected to the formal criminal justice system. One of them is diversion when persons in conflict with the law are children.

As explained by the Chief Children Commissioner, Dr Farah Nini Dusuki, diversion allows children accused of minor or non-violent offences to be redirected away from the formal criminal justice system into community-based programmes focused on education, counselling, and behavioural support.

The approach would not only reduce the risk of criminalisation and social stigma but also address underlying issues such as trauma, neglect, or mental health.

Such an approach is not a denial of accountability, b...