In the UK, the law protects minors in the same way as adults. An exception is the possibility of inflicting reasonable corporal punishment on a child that does not cause bodily harm. However, a parent or legal guardian may be charged with cruelty to a child. In the case of sexual crimes, adults and minors may be held responsible for them and may be held criminally liable.
In this country, a child can pursue his or her rights in court. During the proceedings, the minor is represented by a legal guardian. British family courts deal with matrimonial matters and proceedings relating to minors. The jurisdiction of British family courts also covers cases of domestic violence.
When it comes to the child, the principle of guaranteeing the child’s well-being is considered to be the guiding principle. It also applies when interrogating a minor, both as a witness and as a victim.
In this opinion, the author also points to a number of organizations that are involved in supporting minors and their family members during ongoing proceedings. Doctor Ilona Grądzka notes that there is a lack of such systemic solutions in Poland, and there is a noticeable lack of interdisciplinary forms of cooperation in juvenile matters.
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