CRC Article 5

Guidance should grow with you

Parents and carers may guide you as you grow. As you get older you should have more say. Guidance must not become frightening or controlling.

How you can use it

1. 1Ask for the choice in words you understand.
2. 2Say which parts you can decide: “Let me have a say as I get older.”
3. 3If guidance becomes frightening, tell a safe adult, teacher, caseworker or advocate.

What a violation looks like

An adult makes every choice for you, or uses fear to control you.

Words you can use

“Please help me understand, but let me have a say as I get older.”

If speaking is hard, write it, draw it, send a message, or ask a trusted adult to say it with you.