Jail 9-year-olds? Psychologist details why it’s ‘morally, neurologically’ wrong

A psychologist on Wednesday offered several points against holding children aged 9 and above criminally liable, a proposal that is moving forward at the lower chamber of Congress.

The House justice committee on Wednesday approved a bill seeking to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 9 from the current 15. The proposal has the backing of President Rodrigo Duterte and was filed on his inauguration day in 2016.

The measure is “psychologically, neurologically and morally” wrong, said psychologist Randy Dellosa.

“Just because a 9-year old child knows the difference between right and wrong doesn’t mean that s/he is mature enough to resist the pressure/threats from criminally-minded adults and peer groups; realize the full consequences of his/her actions; seek help from agencies that can protect him/her from criminal operatives,” Dellosa said.

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