3,500 Cases Involving Minors in Greek Court

juvie

Greek authorities are grappling with a surge in juvenile delinquency, with 3,500 minors currently facing court trials or awaiting adjudication.

According to data presented by criminologist Evtichia Katsigaraki from the Ministry of Justice during a workshop titled “Profiling Juvenile Delinquency,” the cases stem from over 9,000 juvenile arrests made between January 1 and August 31 of this year. The workshop was organised by Metropolitan College.

Katsigaraki revealed that half of the 9,000 arrests involve crimes against property, such as theft, attempted theft, and robbery, while 20% are linked to drug-related offences, including possession, use, and trafficking. Despite the concerning numbers, Katsigaraki noted that the majority of these arrests involve less severe offenses, though there is an upward trend in more serious crimes.

In line with the European Union’s rehabilitative approach, only a small percentage of juveniles end up in detention facilities. Katsigaraki emphasised that the justice system focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment, with measures designed to help offenders understand the impact of their actions on victims. New initiatives, such as involving delinquent minors in sports activities, aim to reintegrate them into society through positive, pedagogical methods.

New Forms of Juvenile Violence Emerging

Marina Economou, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatric Medicine at the University of Athens, highlighted the changing nature of juvenile violence. Speaking at the workshop, Economou noted that today’s violent behaviour among young people often transcends traditional bullying, taking on more criminal forms. She attributed this shift to social values, injustice, and the influence of the internet, which exposes minors to public scrutiny before they fully develop self-awareness.

Economou also pointed out that problematic family dynamics contribute to juvenile delinquency. In families where parents work excessively, children often lack supervision and support. Additionally, households with already delinquent parents or dysfunctional relationships create environments conducive to problematic behavior. Economou advocated for a greater role of psychologists in schools, suggesting that children should receive dedicated mental health education to foster empathy and self-awareness.

“Neighbourhoods and Groupthink: Key Drivers of Violence”

Professor Emeritus Yannis Panousis, a criminologist at the University of Athens, focused on the influence of social environments, particularly neighbourhoods, in shaping juvenile behaviour. According to Panousis, children’s peer groups play a vital role in developing their identity and value systems. He identified three key elements of emerging juvenile violence: savagery, humiliation (often recorded and shared online), and groupthink, where groups of minors coordinate to commit acts of violence against others.

Panousis also raised alarms about the increased presence of weapons, particularly knives, among minors, calling it a “red alert” for authorities.

Drug Use Among Minors and Parental Unawareness

Ioannis Rahovitsas, president of the PADA Institute Antinarcotics Action, shed light on the issue of drug use and trafficking among minors, stating that prevention efforts have been inadequate. He highlighted the lack of psychiatric and psychological support for juveniles involved in drug-related offences, noting that many parents are unaware of their children’s involvement in such activities until after an arrest.

Rising Suicidal Ideation Among Children

Konstantinos Giannopoulos, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Smile of the Child Organization, reported a concerning increase in suicidal ideation among children. The organisation’s helpline, 1256, receives approximately three calls every four days from minors expressing suicidal thoughts or having already attempted suicide. Giannopoulos stressed the need for improved psychiatric infrastructure, noting that current systems often fail to break the cycle of violence and adequately support at-risk children.

(Source: Kathimerini)