87% of the public believes the rate of children involved in crime is increasing

In recent years, the issue of children involved in crime has frequently risen to the top of Turkey's agenda. Most recently, following the stabbing death of 16-year-old Atlas Çağlayan by a 15-year-old child in Istanbul, the debate over children involved in crime has begun to be discussed intensely once again. 

THE RATE OF CHILDREN INVOLVED IN CRIME HAS INCREASED

Striking results have emerged from the research conducted by Aksoy Research on children involved in crime. According to Aksoy Research, 87% of society in Turkey believes that the rate of children involved in crime is increasing.

The following responses were given to the question asked in the study: “Which of the following is closer to your opinion regarding the involvement of children in the 14-18 age group in crimes such as assault and robbery in Turkey over the last 10 years?” 

Increased significantly: 67.7%

Increased: 19.7%

No opinion: 9.6%

Decreased: 1.9%

Decreased significantly: 1.1%

REASONS FOR CHILDREN BEING DRAGGED INTO CRIME: IMPUNITY, GLORIFICATION, AND POOR-QUALITY EDUCATION

According to these results, the proportion of those who think that the situation of children being involved in crime has increased significantly or increased reached 87%.   

In Aksoy Research's field study, the question “Could you state the 3 reasons you think are most effective in children joining criminal gangs?” was also asked.  

Regarding the reasons for children being involved in crime, “Impunity or receiving light sentences” ranked first with 63.2%. This response was followed by “Glorification of crime and criminals” at 53.1% and “Decline in the quality of education” at 36%. 

“EMBOLDENED IGNORANCE”

Evaluating the results of the research on children dragged into crime, Aksoy Research Founder Ertan Aksoy emphasized that one of Turkey's major problems is emboldened ignorance. 

Stating that praising crime and criminals is now extremely possible, legitimate, and popular, Ertan Aksoy's assessments are as follows: 

“There are many reasons. First and foremost, the lack of supervision and the state of crime and criminals having a clear path ahead is at a terrible level. Just as you cannot do anything in the drug issue without cutting off the supply, you cannot do anything here without stopping the glorification and legitimization of crime and criminals. Today, a significant portion of negative cases are actually in front of us as potential killers, primarily on social media.”

Ertan Aksoy continued his words as follows: 

“For example, go into many platforms, especially TikTok, and watch three or four such videos, and you will see that today in Turkey, thieves, killers, drug dealers, muggers, and many people who have not received their share of humanity are being sent to prisons with the air of heroes. Upon leaving prison, they are greeted with ceremonies as if they were welcoming a hero. Now, what does this create? Of course, it increases the courage and audacity of another killer, another drug dealer, another thief. That is why I describe it as emboldened ignorance.

There are many reasons that create the dragging of children into crime. Above all, children and young people have lost hope and the future is in a terrible uncertainty... We cannot put a welfare policy in front of children.”

“THE SEARCH FOR RAPID WEALTH DRAGS THEM INTO CRIME”

Stating that there is a major comparison in the lives of young people due to the influence of social media, Aksoy explained, “In other words, a narrative that some people are constantly living in luxury and happiness... But when they return to their own lives, there is a youth that sees the exact opposite. Children who cannot see hope in their profession or their own savings turn to the search for rapid wealth. So, where does rapid wealth primarily come from? Unfortunately, it comes from getting involved in crime.”

News Source: 12punto