Banned: Youth and Service Provider Recommendations for Policy and Practice when Banning Youth
Shawn Johnson
Karen Drynan
Rhea Bowman
Action Alliance for Youth Inclusion
April 2017
Action Alliance for Youth Inclusion
Formerly the Old Strathcona Community Mapping and Planning Committee (OSCMAP)
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We are a collaboration of youth-serving agencies and community partners working as allies for youth in high-risk situations. Through community-based participatory research, identifying emerging trends, and advocacy, we influence policy and take action to advance the social inclusion of youth.
Action Alliance for Youth Inclusion
Formerly the Old Strathcona Community Mapping and Planning Committee (OSCMAP)
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Youth accessing services were regularly identifying being banned from a number of different kinds of locations, and often did not know when their ban expired or other conditions of the ban.
Environmental scan of local policy and practice
Mapping exercise and interviews with youth
Interviews with service providers
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39 youth
Ages 15-25 years
26 male, 12 female, 1 gender fluid
20 of the youth identified as Indigenous
Most commonly staying in residential program or shelter at time of interview
15 service providers working with youth and young adults living in high-risk situations, including homelessness.
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Local policies indicate that drug or alcohol use, violence, property damage, theft, trespassing or loitering may result in bans, and this was reflected in the experiences shared by the youth.
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Most commonly reported ban lengths were “life”, 1 year or unknown. Youth perspectives on their bans ranged from feeling the ban was reasonable, or that it was unfair, or that they didn’t care.
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The impact of bans was both practical (more difficult to access resources and meet needs) and emotional (feelings of rejection or embarrassment).
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How to Support Youth with Bans?
Support workers to help youth navigate their bans:
Reviewing the ban to see if it can be resolved
Youth Recommendations
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Professional Approach
Less threatening or hostile
Address any racism or discrimination
Opportunities for Review
Is the ban reasonable? Can it be appealed or resolved? Are there opportunities for restorative justice?
Youth Recommendations for Banning
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Decrease Length
Weeks or months, not years
Clear Communication and Documentation
Alternatives for Non-Criminal and Non-Violent Incidents
Youth Recommendations for Banning
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Service providers expressed that the youth they work with are often highly visible and closely monitored by authorities in public spaces. They felt this fostered a sense of rejection, and that being closely monitored resulted in youth feeling harassed and more likely to react poorly if approached.
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Meet Basic Needs to Prevent Bans
Ban Only for Serious Offenses, and as a Last Resort
Implement De-Escalation Techniques and Trauma-Informed Practices
Service Provider Recommendations
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Plan for Safety and Provision of Services
Service Provider Recommendations
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Decrease Lengths
Improve Communication
Ban Review and Resolution
Process Bans with Youth
Opportunity to learn from each other
Service Provider Recommendations
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How to best communicate bans needs more consideration
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Collaborative efforts involving youth and stakeholders to develop best practices including:
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Project Recommendations
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Action Alliance for Youth Inclusion
Thank you!
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