Contrary to government statements that separated children are never detained, the report finds increasing numbers are detained on the assumption they are adults, yet are subsequently found to be under 18.
And, despite government assurances that children in families are detained only as a last resort, the report claims up to 2,000 a year are detained.
Some of these children are detained before their applications have been considered. In more than half of cases examined by the research, the children were detained for more than a month, and in some cases for as long as nine months.
Alternatives to detention suggested by the charity include formal age assessment procedures to ensure separated children are not detained.
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