legislation & policy
Why We Must Take Children Out Of Military Environments
With former 17 former Army Foundation College Harrogate instructors facing court martial for mistreating recruits- including actual bodily harm and battery, we look at the evidence that military environment facilitate threats to child welfare. This article was first published on Huffington Post
The First Ambush: Effects of army training and employment
June 2017
This report from Veterans For Peace UK details how the Army's training process has a forceful impact on attitudes, health, and behaviour even before recruits are sent to war. The findings show that military training and culture combine with pre-existing issues (such as a childhood history of anti-social behaviour) to increase the risk of violence and alcohol misuse. Traumatic war experiences further exacerbate the problem.
Academics: Armed forces are no place for 16-year-olds
13/09/2017Various
Various
A letter to the Guardian (12/09/17) from more than 50 academics has called for the age of recruitment ot the UK armed forces to be raised to 18. It backs a conference motion from SNP Youth in support of this.
Soldiers at 16 – The other side of the story
January 2017
Army adverts don't tell you what being a soldier is really like.
#GE2017: info & questions for candidates
A brief roundup of manifesto pledges on defence and security and some questions for your candidates on their support for a more sustainable and ethical security policy, one that does not result in the promotion of military intervention or military interests within education and civil society.
Does the military give young people a ‘leg up’? The armed forces and social mobility
May 2017
This briefing explores if these claims about social mobility stand up to scrutiny or whether enlisting in the armed forces can have a negative impact upon social mobility, particularly for very young recruits.
Military recruitment of under-18s debated in Westminster
We report on the recent debate in Parliament arguing that the age of recruitment to the UK armed forces be raised.
Is it Counterproductive to Enlist Minors into the Army?
December 2016
This article, written by Child Soldiers International and published in the Royal United Service Institute Journal, argues that raising the UK enlistment age from 16 to 18 would bring benefits to young people and the British armed forces. The article explains that the UK’s low enlistment age is counterproductive internationally, as it implies to other countries that it is acceptable to use children under the age of 18 to staff national armed forces.
Scottish petition makes headway
Members of the Scottish Parliament have agreed to seek further evidence on our joint petition – with Quakers in Scotland – calling for greater scrutiny and guidance around military visits to schools.
Army defies child rights campaigners, intensifies intake of 16-year-olds for riskiest roles
24/11/2016Child Soldiers International press release
Child Soldiers International press release
Figures released today reveal that the British Army has increased its intake of 16-year-olds in the past 12 months, defying calls from the UN, children’s rights organisations and others campaigning for an end to the recruitment of minors.