Young Offenders: A Study of Children Under 15 Who Have Committed Serious Offenses - Crime Trends, Offense and Child Characteristics, Societal Interventions, and Children´s Perspectives

• In Event: Prevalence and Trends in Juvenile Crime and Risky Behavior

Abstract

This paper is the result of a study exploring the circumstances under which children under the age of 15 commit serious offenses in Sweden. Over recent years, various sources have shown an increasing number of indications that more young individuals below the age of criminal responsibility are becoming involved in serious crime, especially offenses linked to criminal networks. Despite the urgency of the issue, research on this group of children has been limited, and offenses committed by children below the age of criminal responsibility are not included in official crime statistics. To fill this knowledge gap, the study has analyzed trends in serious juvenile offending over the past decade. The study has also investigated the characteristics of the offenses committed by these children, and characteristics of the children themselves, such as socioeconomic and demographic background. The study has also explored the societal interventions provided for the children both prior to and after their offenses. The lived experiences and perspectives of children with a background in offending have been highlighted by means of interviews with 10 children. By shedding light on these various aspects of serious crime committed by young children, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the societal measures needed to prevent further criminal involvement among young children.

Authors

• Monika Sellgren Karlsson, The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention

• Maria von Bredow, Stockholm

• Olle Westlund, The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention