30% juvenile offenders never been to school
Ambika Pandit
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New Delhi:
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Survey Of 182 Reveals History Of Abuse, Poverty
Even though Rajya Sabha has passed the amended Juvenile Justice Act, a survey of 182 youngsters lodged in the capital's observation homes between last year and early this year reveals a story of childhoods scarred by abuse, poverty , illiteracy and lack of parental care.`Why Children Commit Offences', a study on children in conflict with the law by Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) in collaboration with NGO Butterflies dwells on the factors that trigger delinquent behaviour. It cautions that “reform mechanisms“ must be a focus area if the original intent behind the JJ Act is to be achieved. The findings were released in June.
The study found over 57% of the children involved in offences related to theft, dacoity and robbery . “Offences related to person (murder and attempt to murder) and sexual harassment (including rape) constituted 21.9% and 11.5%. These figures are those of accused and not of those found guilty ...Reports of children accused of rape suggest that of the 21 rape cases reported 11 were either consensual sex or false accusations by the parents of the girls who did not consent to their relationship,“ the study says.
The study also says that those taking to crime early are likely to grow into hardened criminals than those who start late. But 90% of the surveyed children were late starters, having committed their first crime above the age of 14, and were therefore less likely to repeat it. Data also showed that 70% were unaware of the consequ ences of their acts. Also, 58.8% of the offences were committed in groups, and in 90% of these cases, the groups were of friends. This shows how peer influence works.
Almost 30% of the juveniles had never been to school and over 29% had only studied up to primary school. Only 24.2% had moved to upper primary . The dropout rate was also pretty high--of the 182 kids, only 43 were still studying when apprehended. The study holds families and the school system responsible for their failure to identify behavioural deficiencies in these children. Over 50.3% of children were deprived of adequate housing and 62.1% were working for a living when they were apprehended. Also 14.2% of children were not living with parents and 23% were living with single parents or with step parents. Many of the children had also witnessed one parent treating another with violence and had lived in turbulent neighbourhoods.
The study makes the point that “there is no evidence to suggest that harsher punishment or transfer of adolescents to criminal justice system will deter them from deviance“. “Instead, there is strong evidence that they increase recidivism.All this does not mean that childrenadolescents who are involved in offences or deviances should not be held accountable for what they have done.But the means for ensuring such accountability should be grounded in child and adolescent psychology , the human rights of children and a deeper understanding of the circumstances that led to such behaviour,“ the study adds.
The study found over 57% of the children involved in offences related to theft, dacoity and robbery . “Offences related to person (murder and attempt to murder) and sexual harassment (including rape) constituted 21.9% and 11.5%. These figures are those of accused and not of those found guilty ...Reports of children accused of rape suggest that of the 21 rape cases reported 11 were either consensual sex or false accusations by the parents of the girls who did not consent to their relationship,“ the study says.
The study also says that those taking to crime early are likely to grow into hardened criminals than those who start late. But 90% of the surveyed children were late starters, having committed their first crime above the age of 14, and were therefore less likely to repeat it. Data also showed that 70% were unaware of the consequ ences of their acts. Also, 58.8% of the offences were committed in groups, and in 90% of these cases, the groups were of friends. This shows how peer influence works.
Almost 30% of the juveniles had never been to school and over 29% had only studied up to primary school. Only 24.2% had moved to upper primary . The dropout rate was also pretty high--of the 182 kids, only 43 were still studying when apprehended. The study holds families and the school system responsible for their failure to identify behavioural deficiencies in these children. Over 50.3% of children were deprived of adequate housing and 62.1% were working for a living when they were apprehended. Also 14.2% of children were not living with parents and 23% were living with single parents or with step parents. Many of the children had also witnessed one parent treating another with violence and had lived in turbulent neighbourhoods.
The study makes the point that “there is no evidence to suggest that harsher punishment or transfer of adolescents to criminal justice system will deter them from deviance“. “Instead, there is strong evidence that they increase recidivism.All this does not mean that childrenadolescents who are involved in offences or deviances should not be held accountable for what they have done.But the means for ensuring such accountability should be grounded in child and adolescent psychology , the human rights of children and a deeper understanding of the circumstances that led to such behaviour,“ the study adds.
Source: Times of India, 28-12-2015
