Acompañamiento a Jóvenes en Conflicto con la Ley Penal en República Dominicana para una Efectiva Reinserción Social basada en Derechos Humanos
Istituto Don Calabria
(
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#SDGAction54768
Description
The partnership aims to enhance the Dominican Republic's juvenile justice system by promoting human rights, social reintegration, and sustainable impact. Its core mission is to improve the treatment of young offenders and address the deficiencies in the current system. The partnership seeks to involve state institutions in the development of policies and tools for adolescents, promote good practices for minority groups, reduce violence levels, and contribute to national poverty reduction programs. It envisions a collective impact that extends beyond individual cases, strengthening the capacities of judicial and law enforcement institutions and fostering a supportive environment for effective social reintegration.
The project's organizational model is designed to facilitate the circulation of information among participating actors, creating an environment conducive to competence and professionalism. The thematic focus on restorative juvenile justice serves as a unifying point for the consortium, with shared values forming the basis for the synergy that drives the collaboration. The project aims to empower the individuals involved in the intervention, providing ongoing technical assistance and follow-up after the implementation of the mechanisms. Additionally, the project will conduct satisfaction and motivational surveys for workshop participants and implement a technical strengthening plan for the initially proposed programs. The project will also establish an inter-institutional table with public administrations to facilitate the implementation of project products and results. This table will include representatives from various key institutions, such as the General Prosecutor's Office, the National Council for Children and Adolescents, and the Public Defender's Office. The project emphasizes the importance of capacity building and the introduction of restorative justice approaches within the juvenile justice system, aiming to leave a legacy of skills and tools for continued improvement. Furthermore, the project will involve the active participation of public and private actors, promoting dialogue and joint cooperation around a common project. The collaboration between partners will create a broad network connecting key national and international stakeholders to disseminate project results across various levels. The involvement of these stakeholders will contribute to the sustainability and long-term impact of the project. In summary, the implementation strategies and processes agreed upon by the partner organizations emphasize the creation of a collaborative environment, capacity building, and the empowerment of individuals involved in the intervention, ensuring that the project's objectives are effectively pursued through coordinated efforts.
The project includes individual meetings between the young offenders and psychologists to develop a structured Life Plan. The intervention is estimated to involve 135 young individuals, both male and female, who will receive comprehensive therapeutic support. The objective is for the participants to develop self-awareness and self-management skills to achieve their personal and professional goals. Also, it targets 100 young offenders, aged 13 to 18, that will receive professional training scholarships and internships This activity aims to facilitate the socio-labor reintegration of young individuals by providing them with opportunities for skill development and practical work experience. Furthermore, the project seeks to enhance the capacities of the national juvenile justice system operators through comprehensive training programs. These programs are designed to combat negative stigmas surrounding young individuals in conflict with the law, promoting a pro-child approach and ensuring that the justice system operators are equipped with the necessary knowledge and empathy to support the adolescents effectively. Additionally, the project involves the creation of a manual for juvenile criminal mediation with a restorative approach. This methodology is designed through participatory discussions and the exchange of best practices, ensuring the tool's adoption by stakeholders. The operational documents produced will be used by institutions to enhance services and replicate best practices. In terms of infrastructure enhancement, the project includes the hiring of a psychiatrist to provide additional technical support, recognizing the vulnerability of the beneficiaries. This strategic addition aims to strengthen the technical aspects of the project, ensuring comprehensive support for the individuals involved. The project also focuses on promoting peaceful conflict resolution and access to justice for young offenders, emphasizing the development of individualized life projects and the optimization of comprehensive victim support services. Additionally, the project aims to sensitize the media to promote a more empathetic understanding of young individuals in conflict with the law, fostering a supportive environment for their social reintegration. Finally, in terms of sustainability, the project aims to strengthen the capacities of relevant institutional actors, including the General Prosecutor's Office, the National Council for Children and Adolescents, the Judicial Power, the National Police specialized in Children and Adolescents, the Public Defender's Office, and the Bar Association. This collaboration ensures the continuity and long-term impact of the project's actions, contributing to the strengthening of the Dominican juvenile justice system and the protection of human rights for young offenders.
The collaboration within the partnership involves a structured approach to ensure effective communication and decision-making. Regular virtual and in-person meetings are scheduled to facilitate ongoing collaboration and maintain alignment with project goals. The organizational structure comprises a leadership team responsible for providing strategic guidance and a coordination team overseeing the day-to-day implementation of the project. Each team member's role is clearly defined, ensuring accountability and efficient task execution. Communication protocols are established to facilitate transparent and open communication among all project stakeholders. These protocols include regular email updates, virtual meetings, and the use of a designated cloud-based platform for document sharing and collaboration. Additionally, a clear escalation path is defined to address any communication challenges or conflicts that may arise during the project lifecycle. Decision-making processes are designed to be inclusive and consensus-based. Consultation and reflection periods are integrated into the decision-making framework, allowing all stakeholders to contribute their perspectives and insights before reaching a consensus. This approach ensures that decisions are well-informed and aligned with the project's objectives. Evaluation methods encompass a comprehensive approach to data collection and analysis. Mixed-method approaches, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection, are utilized to capture the project's impact effectively. Continuous monitoring is implemented to track progress and identify areas for improvement. Monthly feedback sessions are conducted to review the evaluation findings and facilitate ongoing learning and adaptation. Reporting and adaptation procedures are integral to the project's success. Regular reporting mechanisms are established to provide stakeholders with transparent updates on project progress, challenges, and achievements. These reports serve as a foundation for informed decision-making and adaptive management. Adaptation procedures are designed to be responsive to the evolving needs of the project, ensuring that any challenges or changes in the project environment are addressed promptly and effectively. This structured approach to collaboration, decision-making, evaluation, and adaptation ensures that the project remains responsive, transparent, and aligned with its overarching objectives throughout its lifecycle.
The project is funded by the European Commission, and our partnership extends to three other NGOs in the Dominican Republic, each bringing unique expertise to the table.
The primary beneficiary, the Istituto Don Calabria, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for policies benefiting children and youth, particularly adolescents in conflict with the law. We ollaborate closely with national public institutions, focusing on tertiary prevention efforts in the country.
Additionally, Caminante Proyecto Educativo, with decades of experience, specializes in working with vulnerable children and adolescents. Their research capabilities provide invaluable insights into the current state of the protection system, enriching our approach to addressing risk factors affecting adolescents.
Furthermore, the Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral contributes its expertise in education, particularly in training various system agents. Their educational background and social commitment are crucial assets in implementing effective educational processes within the project.
Lastly, the Oficina Técnica Provincial Hermanas Mirabal plays a vital role in establishing a territorial framework for direct engagement with young people. Their deep understanding of the local context and experience in forming alliances with various stakeholders enhance our ability to improve outcomes for young people in conflict with the law.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 16
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
16.1
Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
16.1.1
16.1.2
16.1.3
Proportion of population subjected to (a) physical violence, (b) psychological violence and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months
16.1.4
Proportion of population that feel safe walking alone around the area they live after dark
16.2
End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
16.2.1
Proportion of children aged 1–17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month
16.2.2
16.2.3
Proportion of young women and men aged 18–29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18
16.3
Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
16.3.1
Proportion of victims of (a) physical, (b) psychological and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms
16.3.2
16.3.3
Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism
16.4
By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
16.4.1
16.4.2
16.5
Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.5.1
16.5.2
16.6
Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
16.6.1
16.6.2
Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services
16.7
Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
16.7.1
Proportions of positions in national and local institutions, including (a) the legislatures; (b) the public service; and (c) the judiciary, compared to national distributions, by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups
16.7.2
16.8
Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
16.8.1
Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organizations
16.9
By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
16.9.1
16.10
Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
16.10.1
16.10.2
16.a
Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime
16.a.1
16.b
Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development
16.b.1
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
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Deliverables & Timeline
National Report on the Situation of Rehabilitation and Reintegration Treatment Received by Young People in Conflict with the Law, Deprived of Liberty and Under Alternative Sanctions, in the Dominican Republic
Friendly Handbook: Effective Access to Justice for Adolescents in Conflict with the Law (in Spanish, Creole and Braille)
Juvenile Criminal Mediation Manual forJustice Operators with a Restorative Approach
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
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Timeline
Entity
SDGs
More information
Countries
SIDS regions
- Caribbean
Samoa pathway priority area
- Sustained and Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Economic Growth with Decent Work for All
- Social Development
Contact Information
Alessandro, General Director