Prize-winning research by Kaitlyn McLachlan, above, found that 43% of youths affected by FASD in the Canadian criminal justice system gave false confessions under the mistaken belief that they would be released more quickly or to protect a friend.
I thought of Sandy not realizing that after age eighteen her
crimes would go on her permanent record. “They will?” she asked, genuinely
shocked.
Sandy would also do anything to protect her friends. At age thirteen she lied to her boyfriend’s mother, denying their first sexual encounter. “He told her it never happened,” she said, “so I changed my story.” Hearing this broke my heart.
Sandy would also do anything to protect her friends. At age thirteen she lied to her boyfriend’s mother, denying their first sexual encounter. “He told her it never happened,” she said, “so I changed my story.” Hearing this broke my heart.
Young people with the brain damage of FASD need significant support to navigate the legal system, as well as to navigate life.
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