Acceptable behaviour contract
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
In the United Kingdom, an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC)[1] is an early intervention (generally following two warnings but before an Anti-Social Behaviour Order) made against individuals who are perceived to be engaging in anti-social behaviour. Though they may be used against adults, almost all ABCs concern young people.[2]
The contract, drawn up and agreed upon by the agencies concerned in consultation with the individual, contains both negative and positive conditions, detailing respectively which behaviours the individual will cease to partake in and what activities the individual will pursue in order to change their behaviour.
Although ABCs are not legally binding, a breach of an ABC is often used as evidence to support an application for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO), a breach of which is a criminal offence. In agreements, children are asked to not only sign that they will not perform the identified behaviour(s) but that they recognise a breach may result in the application for an ASBO. If the ASBO is breached, they may face imprisonment of up to 5 years and/or a fine of up to £2,000.
History
ABCs were first used in Islington in the early 2000s,[3] and rolled out nationwide in the following years.
References
- ^ "A Guide to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts" (PDF). UK Government Publications. UK Home Office Communication Directorate. Mar 2003. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "The ABC of controlling young troublemakers". TheGuardian.com. 29 August 2001.