Over the last 10 years, offending by children and young people (CYP) has reduced dramatically in NZ. Rates which measure the proportion who offend relative to the population declined by 63-65%. How amazing is that?
MOST kids are not engaged in serious crime. The number of children/YP whose offending was serious enough to lead to a FGC or court action decreased by 61% and 58% respectively
People calling for more punishments on children and young people grew up in periods marked by much higher crime rates (generally and in relation to crimes by children and young people). Their generations were way more problematic re 'crime'. Current society is not in decline!
Rates of crime are not controlled by punishments. How we police and punish have extraordinarily limited impacts on crime rates. Rates are affected by economic, social and cultural conditions (not to mention decisions on what we see as crime...looking at you, tax avoiders and co)
In the past, we have engaged in moral panics about youth offending. Our kneejerk responses (punishments /removals/ institutions) have been extraordinarily damaging, intergenerationally...see the hearings at the royal commission or read (ahem) 'the road to hell'
It's so important for our debates to reflect nuance in how people (including CYP) are acting. Taking a crappy plastic toy is not the same as an armed invasion (or a police shooting or the gassing of prisoners!)
While all offending is damaging, distressing and downright annoying, we need to progress our law, policy and practices in relation to evidence, not emotion or reckons
A bit more stuff:
There have been changes in Police charging practices, especially since 2016-17. We use diversion a bit more for less serious offending. This is really good practice for a child or young person. Major studies show that CJ interventions make things worse for CYP
There have been changes in Police charging practices, especially since 2016-17. We use diversion a bit more for less serious offending. This is really good practice for a child or young person. Major studies show that CJ interventions make things worse for CYP
Youth Court (YC) appearances illustrate the more serious end of offending. We can see a drop in YP appearing before the YC. Eg From 2016/17 to 20/21, the number of Maori (aged 14-16) before Court fell by 51%! NB. from July 2019, 17 year olds included in CYP stats
Plus, we have seen a drop in the number of YP appearing before the Youth Court who then progress to adult court (within 2 yrs). This is MAJOR. It shows declines in reoffending. Our kids - with the right social and agency supports - can move away from offending
People do grow out of 'crime', and this is far more likely to happen when we respond with respectful, culturally appropriate welfare supports (to CYP and their families). Don't follow the 'law and order' politics - it will take us back decades
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