Youth, Crime and Justice (From Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Milan, Italy, 1985, P 91-114, Leona Jorgensen and Jack Sandry, eds. - See NCJ-100063)

• NCJ Number: 100067
• Author(s): R Harding
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The extent and nature, causes of, and responses to youth crime in Australia are examined.

Abstract

An analysis of various sources of data on youth crime suggests that inattention to variations in age groups (under 17, 18 to 20, and 21 to 24), types of offense, and modus operandi can lead to exaggerated and inaccurate assessments of juvenile crime patterns. However, two major trends can be discerned: increasing criminal involvement by juvenile females, particularly in violent crime; and increases in drug-related crimes by juveniles of both sexes. Major factors contributing to youth crime include unemployment, deficiencies in educational objectives, family breakdown/marginalization of youth, and alienation of youth, particularly that associated with the threat of nuclear annihilation. Responses to youth crime must take these factors into account. Governmental initiatives in these areas include employment training programs, increased flexibility in curriculum design, income maintenance, intensive neighborhood care programs, drug rehabilitation programs, youth participation in program planning, and diversion programs. An appendix contains a Charter of Rights for young people. 22 references.