PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH (PAR)
Participatory Action Research (PAR) is an approach to research that emphasizes participation and action from community members who are most affected by the issues we study. Through the research process, we seek to understand the world around us, engage in collaborative reflection, and develop strategies for collective action that leads to social change. PAR stresses collective inquiry and experimentation grounded in lived experience and social history.
REALsearch
For our research process, we drew on the concept of REALsearch, a term created by the Youth Justice Coalition (YJC) in Los Angeles, CA. YJC defines REALsearch as a process that “takes those of us in the community out from under the microscope. Beyond the role of storyteller, we are claiming our rights as researchers, analysts, problem solvers, and the architects of programs and public policy.” This meant we, as young people, owned our ability to be researchers.
Key Findings
- Only 42% of youth had their parents immediately notified after arrest
- Only 28% of youth had their parents present when questioned by the police
- 45% of youth said the programs they were sent to were not helpful
- 74% of youth coming back to the community from residential placement said they had no support in their transition home
Recommendations
- Allow youth to participate in discussions about what treatment options, incentives/sanctions, and service plans will be recommended to the judge
- Provide youth and families with a clear and detailed orientation to the language and procedures of Family Court, as well as ongoing support to answer future questions and concerns. This support should be delivered via peer mentoring from other youth that have experienced the juvenile justice system
- Provide youth with an opportunity to speak in court where what they say cannot be used against them
- Create a provision similar to “jury duty” that excused families from work in order to attend court dates for their children
Download
You can download the full report on the CCFY Website: https://cc-fy.org/par-report-release/report-download/