An average of 443 criminal matters have been filed against children annually in last four years.
From February 2018 to May 31, this year a total of 1,771 criminal matters have been filed in the Children Court between the ages of seven and under 18.
According to Children Court records, in 2020 there were 577 matters with 147 being criminal indictable applications and 81 criminal summary applications.
And in 2021, 561 matters were filed, of which 97 were criminal indictable and 85 were criminal summary applications.
Over the two-year period, the five most common offences were possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm, robbery with aggravation, shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and larceny.
But, the vast majority of cases before the Children Court, 349 in 2020 and 379 in 2021, were matters in which a child needed protection or supervision.
The Children Court has been operating since February 28, 2018.
On June 24, while contributing to a motion brought by the Opposition United National Congress titled Failure to Prevent Surge in Criminal Activity in Parliament, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi said in 2020 and 2021, 215 and 107 children respectively were taken before the Children Court.
He said charges included disorderly behaviour, domestic violence, drug offences, escaping lawful custody, illegal entry, kidnapping, larceny, manslaughter, murder, and possession of firearms.
Clinical and educational psychologist Dr Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor believes the offences were committed by children who were angry, impulsive, reactive and explosive, especially after being isolated for long periods of time during the pandemic.
[caption id="attachment_895402" align="alignnone" width="683"] Dr Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor -[/caption]
“In many instances, these violent behaviours are learned behaviours from other delinquent peers, gang members and from permissive families and parents who are largely absent from homes, with little supervision.”
She told Sunday Newsday the average numbers were comparable with societies globally as there had been higher rates of family violence and child abuse – emotional, physical, verbal and sexual – in the society, more than ever before.
“Children and teenagers are exposed to physical assault, sexual victimization, maltreatment, and in many homes, they may witness violence against family members. Repeated exposure to multiple forms of violence, places children at a greater risk of repeating these behaviours and modelling patterns which they may perceive as ‘normal and appropriate’.”
Nakhid-Chatoor said many "at risk" children who exhibit violent and delinquent behaviours could be identified as early as primary school level. She stressed that children do not become reactive overnight as there were many factors in the childhood and familial home that contributed to displays of aggression and juvenile offences.
Some signs include a lack of empathy towards others, cruelty to animals, physical assault of others when angry, t
