Socio - legal Program
Access to justice for children in conflict with the law is a global concern, but in the Palestinian context, the challenges are both deeper and more urgent. Prolonged occupation, recurrent escalations, displacement and socioeconomic hardship create structural conditions
in which children face heightened risks of rights violations and legal infractions. According to the Attorney General’s Office, Juvenile Prosecution, and the High Judicial Council, over 2,000 cases involving children in contact with the law are opened annually in the West Bank alone. This figure does not account for the many children at risk of coming into contact with the law due to poverty, family fragmentation, exposure to conflict, limited access to education and the absence of safe public spaces. Refugee children living in overcrowded camps are particularly vulnerable, with minimal access to protective services.
The situation has intensified in the wake of the recent war on Gaza and its repercussions in the West Bank, which have destabilized families, increased unemployment and heightened trauma among children. Through regular field visits and case monitoring, Shoruq has documented a notable rise in children displaying behavioral challenges, fear, aggression and psychological distress factors that often translate into an increase in offenses and at-risk cases. Despite these trends, many children continue to encounter punitive responses rather than rehabilitative solutions from the justice system.
Since its establishment in 2014, Shoruq’s Socio-Legal Program has responded to these systemic gaps with an integrated approach combining legal aid, psychosocial support and child protection interventions. Shoruq is the only organization in Bethlehem providing free, specialized legal services for children in conflict with the law, earning recognition as a trusted and credible actor in this domain. Its model not only ensures access to justice but also fosters long-term reintegration through holistic, child-centered interventions including legal empowerment, structured vocational training and community engagement.
For the purposes of child protection and enhancing the impact and quality of services, Shoruq is an active member of key networks including the Child Protection AoR, the Child Protection Network in Bethlehem and Sanad (PSEA network). The program also builds its interventions on evidence based research, including needs assessments conducted since 2014, most recently in 2018, and ongoing studies on the current status of child justice in Palestine.
Aligned with broader efforts to develop a more inclusive, equitable and restorative justice system for children, Shoruq’s approach empowers children to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. With growing numbers of vulnerable children, escalating risks and widening service gaps, continued intervention remains urgent. Shoruq’s visibility, community trust and proven impact make it uniquely positioned to provide transformative support and safeguard the rights and futures of Palestine’s most vulnerable children.
