Child crime rise 'incorrect'
2008-04-01 19:11
Johannesburg - The Child Justice Alliance said on Tuesday that recent media reports indicating an upsurge in crimes committed by children were misleading and incorrect.
Child Justice Alliance spokesperson Jacqueline Gallinetti said there was no evidence that crimes committed by children were on the rise.
"The use of statistics in a sensational manner and out of context is irresponsible, and it misinforms the public," she said.
Gallinetti was commenting on recent statistics presented to the portfolio committee on justice and constitutional development last week.
Gallinetti said the Child Justice Alliance deplored media reports that indicated a dramatic increase of children committing violent and sexual offences.
She said accurate statistics on children in the criminal justice system had been a problem since the 1990s.
'Impression is incorrect'
"Because of the absence of accurate statistics, there is no way to measure if, in fact, there is such an increase in offences committed by children.
"The impression that children are responsible for a substantial proportion of crimes is incorrect," said Gallinetti.
A Department of Correctional Services spokesperson, Manelisi Wolela, said the department had acknowledged its shortcomings and was working on improving its information department.
"Our information system's integrity is not up to what we wish, but a strategy has been put in place to address this," he said.
He said the government had invested millions of rands to address the shortcomings and detractors should appreciate the steps that had been taken.
- SAPA