The process of questioning the age of older children is leading some to consider suicide, their study found.
Children told researchers they were “made to feel like a liar and a criminal” during the checks, while others said the process was “hostile” and “threatening”.
Children who had undergone such an age check showed “higher levels of psychological distress” compared to those who had not. This is caused by the outcome of checks impacting young people’s access to housing, education and support, found the study.
The checks also leave children “stuck in limbo, leaving them feeling frustrated, hopeless and detached from others”.
Access to therapy needed to deal with trauma, bereavement and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is also curtailed as children await the results of age check decisions.
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