Access to specialist services and the criminal justice system: data from the Teddy Bear Clinic

Abstract

This chapter begins by describing the population that makes use of the services of the Teddy Bear Clinic in Gauteng, South Africa. This clinic is regarded by many experts in the field as a leading service provider in the country. With three sites in different parts of the province, the clinic draws its clients from a broad section of the general population. Particular patterns of service uptake with respect to children's age, gender, racial background and the nature of the offence are discussed. Most particularly, this chapter seeks to draw attention to a sizable and especially vulnerable subgroup of children for whom access to he criminal justice system is particularly challenging, namely physically and mentally disabled children.