“Why Children Commit Offences” Report

A report titled ‘Why Children Commit Offences’ released by Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) states that   “The motive or intent of the adolescents is not same as that of the adults. The intent of adolescents is mostly driven by their unique development stage and characteristics”.

17.3 per cent of the cases it was unintentional provocation that resulted in the commission of the offence, while 2.2 per cent were involved in offending acts in the process of self-defence. In 13.7 per cent cases, it could be false accusations that caused their detention, according to the study.

The study suggests restorative measures are needed more than harsh punishment to deal with juvenile delinquency. shows that children/adolescents engagement with offences is mostly due to the characteristics of the adolescent period which is marked by a spurt of cognitive, emotional, physical and sexual development

Deprivation of land and a house threw many of the children and their families on to the streets making them vulnerable to various risks. Lack of opportunity and inequality, therefore, could be factors for pushing a child into delinquency and crime .

A correlation with the nature of the offences showed that out of the 49 children involved in heinous offences 34 were working in various places along with adults. Children who join the work force are more vulnerable since they are in an adult world and can be easily influenced by adults into risk taking behavior

primary effort should be a proper assessment of their aspirations and requirements and based on such assessment make appropriate interventions in a tailored manner

It also suggests that juvenile homes must maintain, update and consolidate data on children who have gone through observation home and special homes and their current status to track their involvement in deviance.

By: Vishal