A legal aid session for a child and his family. — Photo daibieunhandan.vn

HÀ NỘI — The number and severity of law violations, child abuse, and violence cases, especially among adolescents aged 16 to 18, are on the rise.

This situation underscores the urgent need to improve the quality and effectiveness of legal aid services for the adolescent group, helping to build a healthy legal environment.

Many young people aged 16 to under 18 have had to face legal issues early in life whether as victims of abuse and violence, as witnesses, or as parties in civil cases.

Many adolescents have been accused in criminal cases involving petty theft, public disorder, or other legal violations.

Lawyer Quách Ngọc Lam from the Cà Mau Province’s Bar Association, said he has found that most legal aid cases for those aged 16 to under 18 are related to intentional assault.

He told Đại Biểu Nhân Dân (People's Representative) newspaper that in today’s social context, adolescents may gather in groups and tend to resolve even minor conflicts with violence, resulting in intentional injuries to others.

In some cases, the situation escalates dangerously when they use deadly weapons or act recklessly and violently, forcing authorities to handle them under criminal law. These violations are becoming increasingly bold and severe, he said.

Deputy director of Cà Mau Provincial Legal Aid Centre Ngô Đức Bính said offences and legal violations among 16 to 18-year-olds are quite common and appear to be on the rise.

“In recent months, the centre has had to assign many legal aid officers and contracted lawyers to address numerous court cases and investigations. Common offences are theft, public disorder, intentional injury, and sexual abuse,” he said.

Due to their young age, these adolescents are almost incapable of defending themselves before the law. Legal aid must serve as a bridge to protect their legitimate rights and help them develop a correct understanding of the law, avoiding mistakes and recidivism.

Guidance on legal awareness

In practice, many young people have regained their trust in justice after receiving legal aid.

Some who made mistakes or committed crimes were defended by legal aid officers and lawyers.

Recently, the People’s Court of Region 2, Cà Mau Province, held a first-instance trial in a criminal case involving theft.

Among the four defendants was N.K.D., born in 2009, who was entitled to free legal aid.

Legal aid officer Nguyễn Hải Dương from the Cà Mau Legal Aid Centre, who represented him, said the boy’s parents divorced when he was very young, leaving him in the care of his elderly and sick grandparents.

Because of hardship, they were unable to adequately care for or educate him. This led D. to drop out of school, fall in with bad company and be lured into committing a criminal act – an important mitigating factor in his trial.

In spite of the State’s wide legal aid network, few minors have accessed its services.

Both children and their families lack awareness of their right to free legal aid. Many parents or guardians are unfamiliar with the law, missing opportunities for support.

Providing legal aid for those aged 16 to under 18 requires a specific approach: creating a friendly environment, using simple language and being psychologically open.

However, in practice, some officers and lawyers lack the necessary training and skills to work effectively with adolescents, limiting the impact of assistance.

Lawyer Quách Ngọc Lâm said: “Legal aid for 16–18-year-olds is an especially challenging and complex task.

“At this sensitive age, adolescents are not yet fully developed in terms of psychology or legal awareness. Therefore, legal aid providers must not only have solid legal knowledge but also possess skills in friendly, youth-sensitive communication to achieve effective results.”

He said the first solution is to enhance their professional capacity and psychological understanding of this age group.

When providing legal aid to this group, officers and lawyers must understand their emotions and individual circumstances. Each case is different, requiring careful study of legal regulations, communication skills and the ability to assess background and personality to offer the most suitable support, he said.

Legal aid for people aged 16 to under 18 requires patience and the joint effort of the entire political system and society. With care and support, these youths can have a brighter future and a stronger sense of legal awareness.

Under the current Law on Legal Aid, children are among the specific groups guaranteed free access to legal aid.

Strengthening legal aid for those aged 16 to under 18 not only fulfils Việt Nam’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but also helps build a confident, law-abiding and responsible young generation.

The 15th National Assembly approved the Law on Justice for Minors at its eighth session on November 30, 2024.

The law which will take effect on January 1, 2026 introduces several new provisions related to legal aid activities for minors. — VNS