Rising Juvenile Delinquency in Turkey: Experts Call for Economic and Educational Solutions
While hundreds of thousands of children were brought to security units last year, legal experts and citizens are discussing the steps to be taken to prevent juvenile delinquency.
While crime rates continue to rise across Turkey, the most alarming dimension of this picture is children driven to crime. According to official figures, hundreds of thousands of children were brought to security units last year, and the deterrence of penalties alongside social measures has been brought to the table in public opinion.
Official Data and Numerical Dimension
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, more than 600,000 children were taken to security units last year. While 267,000 of these children were recorded as victims, 196,000 were identified as children driven to crime.
Citizens' Views and Divergent Points
Evaluating the situation, some citizens point out that the root causes are poverty, poor education, and the desire for a luxurious lifestyle. Another segment argues that heavy penalties should be imposed so that they do not get involved in crime again.
Legal Experts' Emphasis on Preventive Measures
Legal experts agree that steps taken without addressing the root of the problem will remain insufficient. Lawyer Veysel Demirkaya states that the real solution does not lie in increasing penalties, but in ensuring that children are not deprived of their right to education due to economic impossibilities.
Legal Regulations and New Packages
Within the scope of combating rising juvenile delinquency, the government made legal regulations, aggravating the penalties for children aged 15-18 driven to crime within the framework of the 12th Judicial Package. Experts, however, call for an emphasis on social policies alongside legal measures.