MUSCAT, Nov 4 - Although the percentage of female juvenile delinquency is less than that of boys, still 31 girls were booked for different offences in the Sultanate last year. This, according to medics and social workers, is a matter of concern that underage girls are found to have been involved in crimes. According to data from the Ministry of Social Development, a total of 445 cases of juvenile offences, most of them committed by youngsters in the age group 13 to 17 years, were registered in various governorates.
North Al Batinah Governorate topped the list of young offenders arrested in 2016 with the number reaching 137 followed by Muscat with 68, Al Dakhiliyah 53, Al Dhahirah 34 and South and North Al Sharqiyah governorates 47 and 38 respectively.
While most of the offences related to thefts, there were also cases of abuse and traffic violations.
Data shows there has been an average seven per cent increase in juvenile delinquency in the last 10 years, with the exception of 2016.
There were 445 child offence cases in 2016, 506 in 2015, 423 in 2014 and 457 in 2013. “Only a comprehensive programme in coordination with community, parents and authorities concerned will curb this social menace,” said Dr Muna al Shukaili, Child and Adolescent psychatrist at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.
Youth is the greatest asset of a nation for the future. When parents, schools and communities fail to protect this asset, the result of juvenile delinquency can be devastating. According to Dr Muna, the rehabilitation of the underage delinquents should be done within the community.
“Any punitive action without corrective measures will not bear fruit,” she said. Lack of moral and social training can cause a teen to feel inferior and take to a life of crime.
Moral training is sorely lacking in society today as many parents are not taking this responsibility seriously.
According to the Juvenile Accountability Act promulgated by Royal Decree 30/2008, if a juvenile is caught, he/she should be referred to their parents, guardian, relative or foster parent who can take care of the child or in worst case scenarios, to Juvenile Care Centres.
Apart from the current facility located at the Central Jail in Samayil, a new centre is being set up at Seeb for rehabilitating juvenile delinquents.
Operated and managed by the Ministry of Social Development, the new Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre, aimed at bringing young offenders back into the mainstream, is expected to open in 2019.
SAMUEL KUTTY
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