What is a CICL?

CICL is a term that you will hear if you begin to look into the situation of juveniles who have been arrested - the acronym stands for "children in conflict with the law."  UNICEF describes CICLs as follows:  "The term ‘children in conflict with the law’ refers to anyone under 18 who comes into contact with the justice system as a result of being suspected or accused of committing an offence. Most children in conflict with the law have committed petty crimes or such minor offences as vagrancy, truancy, begging or alcohol use. Some of these are known as ‘status offences’ and are not considered criminal when committed by adults.  In addition, some children who engage in criminal behaviour have been used or coerced by adults. Too often, prejudice related to race, ethnicity or social and economic status may bring a child into conflict with the law even when no crime has been committed, or result in harsh treatment by law enforcement officials." http://www.unicef.org/chinese/protection/files/Conflict_with_the_Law.pdf  

At Bahay Pag-asa, they are officially called residents, since the youth center is where they live.  But when we gather together to learn, pray or work, we call them "sons of God."  That's a good place to start.