Statistics show an increase in violence among children
According to police crime statistics, violence among children increased significantly in Lower Saxony last year. According to an answer from the state government to a question from CDU MP Anna Bauseneick, the number of cases rose from 818 in 2021 to 1338 in 2022. The total number of child victims of child suspects acting alone was recorded - the age limit in each case is 13 years.
There were also more than 1000 cases in 2019, when 1045 offenses were recorded. The majority of the cases involved bodily harm. Unlike in previous years, there was one manslaughter in 2021. The "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung" initially reported on the state government's response.
According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, which answered the question on behalf of the state government, child and youth crime was at a low in 2021, while an increase was expected for the period after the coronavirus pandemic. The trend is similar nationwide.
According to the statistics, the number of sexual offenses among children and young people up to the age of 18 also increased in 2022 - from 612 in the previous year to 704.
"Protecting children and young people from any experience of violence is a priority for the state government," the letter states. According to the letter, there are various reasons for the increase in violence among children and young people. An interdisciplinary federal-state working group is to investigate the causes and develop recommendations for action. The committee was set up in September, but there are no results yet.
The rise in violence among children as demonstrated in the statistics aligns with the significant increase in crime statistics reported in Lower Saxony last year. Despite a low rate of child and youth crime in 2021, as stated by the Ministry of Social Affairs, statistical analysis reveals an upward trend in violent incidents among children and young people, with a notable increase from 612 to 704 reported sexual offenses in 2022.
Source: www.dpa.com
