2.Main Content
Young People and Civil Justice
The LSRC has analysed the data relating to 18-24 year olds from the 2004 English and Welsh Civil and Social Justice Survey. They have published a report of the findings.
Of the 5015 interviews which took place as part of the survey, 525 (11%) were with respondents in that age group. As well as looking at the experience of respondents, it examines the difference in experience of the respondents in that group who are living apart from their parents or any other adult over 24. The report describes this group as "socially isolated".
Occurrence of problems
- Overall, 35% of 18-24 year olds reported one or more civil law problems as compared with 33% for those aged over 24. However, 47% of "socially isolated" young respondents reported problems compared to other young respondents
- 18-24 year olds often reported problems concerning rented housing, homelessness, unfair police treatment, employment and discrimination. Consumer problems, those relating to housing, and divorce were more common amongst respondents over 24
- 9% of "socially isolated" young respondents reported homelessness problems
- Of 18-24 year old respondents, 15% suffered from physical ill-health and 25% from stress-related illness as a result of problems. 19% of "socially isolated" young respondents reported physical ill-health and 45% stress-related ill-health
Advice Seeking Behaviour
- 15% of 18-24 year olds did nothing to try to resolve civil law problems compared to 10% of older respondents and 58% faced problems without getting advice compared to 47% of older respondents
- 18-24 year olds were more likely to turn to the local council than older people; in the case of "socially isolated" young respondents almost 20% did so
- Despite a high percentage of young respondents having access to the internet, few obtained information to try to resolve their problems using this medium (6% v11% among older respondents).
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