We campaign in the UK for a rise in the minimum enlistment age from 18. In Geneva, we provide evidence to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to inform its recommendations to all countries on children and the military.
Why are we working on this project?
The UK is highly unusual internationally in recruiting more new soldiers at 16 than any other age, mostly from working-class families. Our research has shown that these recruits face high risks of abuse in the army, as well as mental health problems and educational and economic disadvantage.
The UK’s continuing recruitment of adolescent children also holds back international efforts - including its own - to end the military use of children worldwide. If the UK makes the transition to all-adult armed forces - which is already the norm in most other countries - the world could move a big step closer to a global ban on child soldiers.
CRIN is one of very few organisations worldwide able to support the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its work to monitor the relationship between children and the military. With our information, the Committee challenges and supports each government directly to raise standards, such that children worldwide are better safeguarded against the risks that adolescent enlistment can bring.
Why now?
After years of campaigning in the UK, the proposal for a transition to all-adult armed forces now has widespread support from the Children’s Commissioners, health professionals, and parliamentarians. Three-quarters of the public now believe that the minimum age for joining up should be 18.
We have also seen progress at the international level. In three-quarters of countries worldwide, only adults from age 18 may be recruited into the armed forces. The prospect of an end to the military recruitment of children is now within reach, but only through effort. We believe that our work at the UN is vital to sustaining the momentum needed.
A quarter of new recruits to the British army are under 18 - more new soldiers are aged 16 than any other age.
Three-quarters of countries worldwide now allow only adults to join up - only 15 still allow recruitment at age 16.
What do we want to achieve?
We hope to see military recruitment in all countries reserved for adulthood. Along the way, we expect that:
Those with influence over the policy - including civil society, political parties, parliamentarians, military officials, and human rights bodies - will actively support 18 as a minimum age for military recruitment.
Stronger scrutiny of young recruits’ welfare will lead to stronger safeguards and less restrictive terms of service for enlisted children..
Young people, their families, and others will grow more aware of the many risks of early enlistment.
“The fact that the British armed forces continue to recruit from the age of 16 sets a poor example internationally and impedes global efforts to end the use of child soldiers… there have to be other, better ways to meet our requirements whilst respecting our human rights obligations.”
~ Major General (retd) Tim Cross CBE
What have we done so far, and how?
We have done research on the impact of early recruitment on young people extensively, raised awareness and concern through national media, and built support for change in Westminster and beyond.
Research
In 2019, Conscription by Poverty? demonstrated the disproportionate impact of recruitment on economically deprived young people, making national headlines.
In 2023, Pressure Cooker showed for the first time how and why recruits who join up under age 18 face a higher risk of harm to mental health when compared with civilians of the same age and with older recruits.
Advocacy
Using detailed evidence, we make the case in London and Geneva that transition to all-adult armed forces would safeguard children against undue risks of harm, while also bringing various benefits to society. We frequently brief parliamentarians to make effective interventions for change.
Alliance with affected families
We support former child recruits and their families to share their stories in the media and on our website.
Showing the breadth of support for change
We work with supportive organisations across various sectors - such as health, education, human rights, and veterans’ organisations - to coordinate united calls for change.
“I would plead with any parent not to sign your child over. I wish I hadn’t, and I have spoken with mothers who have lost their sons to suicide and believe that signing that document allowing them to join up was like signing a death warrant. I hope and long for this to change.”
~ Charlotte, mother of a recruit who signed up aged 16 in 2016
What impact have we had so far?
The campaign has been running for over a decade now; below is a selection of recent or significant impact it has achieved. None of this would be possible without the work of young activists, veterans and committed child rights advocates in Parliament, civil society and the media.
Improved safeguards and conditions for under-18s in the forces
As a result of campaigning, the law was changed to allow under-18s the right to leave the armed forces until their 18th birthday (a right which is sometimes still denied in practice). We are now campaigning for a further change to ensure that recruits aged under 18 cannot be made to serve for longer than adult recruits, as they can now.
National and international bodies use our evidence to scrutinise the policy
In 2021, for example, Parliament’s Defence Committee used facts we exposed to challenge the Defence Secretary and the head of the armed forces on the risk of sexual assault to girls in the forces. Based on the evidence we provided, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child called on the UK in 2023 to raise the minimum enlistment age to 18 and introduce several interim changes to safeguard current child recruits from harm.
Increased support for change
Over the course of our campaigning, further bodies, such as the Trades Union Congress and the Scottish National Party, have begun to call for a transition to all-adult armed forces.
Ensuring girls are not neglected in the military’s ‘Me Too’ movement
In recent years women in the armed forces have increasingly spoken out about the sexism, harassment and violence they experience. Our research and media work has ensured that the disproportionate impact on the youngest women is part of the conversation.
Key resources
In the media
BBC, Rapes reported at Harrogate's Army Foundation College. 7 October 2023.
The Times, Nine alleged rapes in one year at army’s youth training centre, 6 October 2023.
Daily Mail, Sex abuse claims hit Army college for teenage recruits, 23 October 2022.
The Times, British military should recruit from 18, says UN panel, 08 June 2023.
The Times, Third of women in the army suffer sexual abuse, 11 April 2022.
RUSI, Has the Time Come for an All-Adult Army?, 27 May 2021.
VICE World News, Teenage Girls Serving in British Army Report Record Levels of Sexual Assault, 21 July 2022.
The Guardian, Parents call for British army college to be shut down after abuse claims, 18 November 2021.
Related areas of focus
Related content: Minimum ages, Military enlistment, A-Z of children’s rights issues