Teenagers are committing more crimes, and children from rural
areas are primarily responsible, a top court official said
yesterday, citing a year-on-year rise of 13 percent since 2000.
Children in rural areas left behind by their parents when they
migrate to cities account for the majority of juvenile crimes
nationwide, said Shao Wenhong, head of the research bureau under
the Supreme People's Court.
Additionally, teenagers from other provinces or regions in the
country commit 70 percent of juvenile crimes in Beijing, according
to the bureau.
"Without normal family guardianship and education, some of the
children quit school at an early age and commit crimes," Shao
said.
She estimated the number of so-called "left-behind" children who
are left behind in rural areas is around 23 million.
Chinese courts hand down sentences to more than 70,000 juvenile
criminals a year. This comprises nearly 10 percent of the total
number of criminals.
The average age of these young offenders is getting younger and
crimes of violence are increasing, Shao said.
She said more than 70 percent of convicted juveniles were jailed
for property-related crimes such as robbery and theft.
Experts are concerned the situation is getting out of hand and
could lead to social upheaval.
"For migrant workers the costs of supervising and educating
their children have become greater," said Tong Lihua, director of
the minor protection law committee of the All China Lawyer's
Association.
"It is a sure thing and will never stop given the pace of
urbanization."
Tong said there were "work-study schools" for juveniles guilty
of theft, hooliganism and minor assault, but the number was
shrinking.
"We need more detailed legislation on how to supervise and
educate left-behind children who have committed minor crimes," the
lawyer said.
Fan Chongyu, a professor with China University of Politics and
Law, said migrant schools should provide education about the law
and special institutes should be set up for migrant teenagers who
do not attend school.
Crimes by minors are handled by juvenile courts, of which there
are 2,420 in the country, with more than 7,200 judicial
officers.
"For teenage criminal suspects we prioritize education rather
than punishment, taking into full consideration their motives and
family background," Shao said.
(China Daily September 21, 2007)