Legal Definitions - conscripting children

Conscripting is the act of enlisting individuals into the armed forces. When this is done to children, it is considered a war crime and is punishable by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

To be considered conscripting children, the following elements must be present:

• The perpetrator enlisted the victims into the national armed forces or for active participation in hostilities.
• The victims were under the age of 15.
• The conscription took place in the context of an armed conflict.

Children who are conscripted into armed conflict often suffer from psychiatric illness and behavioral problems due to trauma. This can lead to an increased risk of suicide, mental disorders, alcohol abuse, and aggressive behavior.

During a civil war, a group of rebels forcibly take children from their families and train them to become soldiers. These children are given guns and forced to fight in battles. This is an example of conscripting children and is considered a war crime.

This example illustrates the definition of conscripting children because it involves the enlistment of children into armed conflict, the children are under the age of 15, and the conscription is taking place in the context of an armed conflict.