Racial disproportionality in violence affecting children and young people
Five first steps for the new government
Published -
February 19, 2025 The current state of disproportionality
Violence has devastating impacts on children and families. While children from all backgrounds can face violence, children from certain ethnic backgrounds are less safe.
The majority of children in the youth justice system, and involved in violence, are White. However, relative to their share of the population, some minority ethnic groups – and Black children in particular – are over-represented, while other groups – e.g. those from Asian backgrounds – are under-represented.
- Children from certain ethnic groups – especially Black children and young people – are disproportionately likely to be victims of violence. Relative to their share of the population, Black children and young people are six times as likely to be victims of homicide.
- Children from certain ethnic groups are disproportionately likely to be represented in the criminal justice system and to become involved in violence, including as victims. For example, while Black children aged 10–17 make up 6% of the population, in 2023/24, they represented 10% of arrests, 15% of stop and searches and 24% of the monthly youth custody population. They are also five times more likely to be sentenced to custody for homicide, and are more likely to self-report being involved in assault both as victims and perpetrators.
- This does not mean that violence is only relevant to (or mostly caused by) people from minority ethnic backgrounds. White children make up 71% of 10–17-year-olds who are stopped and searched, 76% of those arrested and 72% of those cautioned or convicted for an offence. There are also other significantly over-represented groups, such as children growing up in poverty and children in care, which intersect with racial disproportionality.
- Broad ethnic groupings can mask important underlying differences; to create change we need to understand this detail. For instance, although often categorised as ‘White’, children from Gypsy or Irish Traveller backgrounds are significantly over-represented in the criminal justice system. 10-17-years-olds from Black Caribbean backgrounds are significantly more over-represented in arrests, than children from Black African backgrounds.
This disproportionality is driven by factors like poverty, racism and unequal access to support.
Why disproportionality matters to the Youth Endowment Fund
Children from some minority ethnic backgrounds are significantly over-represented in the youth justice system. The Youth Endowment Fund’s (YEF’s) mission is to prevent children and young people from becoming involved in violence. It’s fundamental that we understand and address the experiences of children from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds in relation to violence and criminal justice. If we don’t challenge the role that racism plays in young people’s experiences of youth justice, education and access to support, we won’t achieve our mission.
As an organisation committed to race equity, we also recognise the importance of tackling racism and racial injustice in all their forms — not only because they affect young people’s pathways to violence but also because they have profound and enduring impacts on their lives, opportunities, and wellbeing. Challenging these injustices is central to our values and our work.
Learn more about race equity at YEF.
How can we change things?
This report highlights five challenges for the new government, both inside
and outside of the criminal justice system. In this report we describe the scale of these issues and point to evidence-informed approaches that have potential for both reducing disproportionality and reducing violence.
Five steps for the government
1 – Ensure stop and search is fair and ‘intelligence-led’
Stop and search disproportionately targets Black children. While necessary for public safety, its effectiveness is limited and can have negative consequences.
- Intelligence-led and fair: Stop and search should be based on specific intelligence and conducted with respect.
- Alternative approaches: Hotspots and problem-oriented policing may be more effective deterrents with fewer risks.
2 – Make Outcome 22 a positive outcome in the police
outcomes framework
Outcome 22 allows police to divert children from the justice system without requiring an admission of guilt. This could reduce racial disproportionality and re-offending. However, the current framework may discourage its use.
3 – Monitor and improve access to psychological therapy
Therapeutic approaches can reduce violence, but Black and Asian children lack access to mental health support. Barriers include lack of trust, racism awareness, discrimination, and differing perceptions of mental health. We need better monitoring of support and more accessible services for minority ethnic families.
4 – Deliver evidence-based support to children absent or
excluded from school
Absence, suspension, and exclusion from school increase the risk of crime and violence. Children from certain ethnic groups are more likely to face these. The government should support schools to reduce absence and provide support for suspended/excluded children, benefiting over-represented groups.
5 – Urgently reduce disproportionality and improve
conditions in youth custody
Black and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children are disproportionately represented in custody. Black children account for 26% of children in custody despite being 6% of the population. Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children are overrepresented as well. Improving conditions and safety in custody is crucial, along with reducing the number of children from these groups in secure facilities and investing in post-custody resettlement programs.
Download report
Download YEF’s racial disproportionality report