Significant Results Achieved in Reducing Juvenile Delinquency in KS

(Patria) - According to official data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, in 2023, the best results to date were achieved in reducing juvenile delinquency in Sarajevo Canton. This is the result of a systemic, multi-sectoral approach implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Upbringing, and the Ministry of Labour, Social Policy, Displaced Persons and Refugees of Sarajevo Canton. This approach includes early and systemic prevention applied through the education, social welfare, healthcare, and police sectors.

According to indicators, in 2009, 574 incidents of criminal offenses were recorded in Sarajevo Canton committed by minors, the number of perpetrators was 262, and the number of repeat offenders was 99.

Data for 2023 shows a significant decrease in the number of criminal offenses committed by minors, with 53 recorded, the number of perpetrators reduced to 49, and the number of repeat offenders to 10.



According to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, Admir Katica, the number of criminal offenses involving minors has decreased tenfold.

"The best way to prevent juvenile delinquency is to combat the criminal potential of young people, and we have been successful in that endeavor. Compared to 2009, in 2023, we have 10 times fewer incidents of criminal offenses involving minors, and there are fewer and fewer minors involved in crime and delinquency. For these results, we can thank the early recognition of deviant behavior, especially in educational institutions in Sarajevo Canton. This, in turn, means less work for the police and contributes to a better sense of security for all citizens," stated Minister Katica.

At a meeting in the Ministry of Education and Upbringing of Sarajevo Canton, organized by the relevant minister Naida Hota-Muminović, along with the Minister of Labour, Social Policy, Displaced Persons and Refugees of Sarajevo Canton, Enda Pavić Pečenković, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, Katica, statistical indicators of juvenile delinquency for the past 15 years were reviewed. It is evident that the results are the best to date.

Various programs aimed at preventing unacceptable behaviors and protecting students are implemented in schools. As soon as it is known that the best interests of a child are threatened, in or out of school, institutions are obliged to take measures aimed at providing educational support and professional treatment.

"These data show that through inter-sectoral cooperation of professionals, negative trends appearing in our society can be reduced. We are talking about the protection and well-being of children and the application of two regulations aimed at this, which require professionals in education to recognize risk factors and indicators of undesirable behaviors and, accordingly, develop an individual care plan for each child. In such situations, cooperation with various sectors is very important to us, primarily the security sector, i.e., the police, and the social welfare sector, and experts from other sectors are engaged as needed," stated Minister Hota-Muminović.

The systemic, multi-sectoral approach applied in Sarajevo Canton shows positive results, confirmed by the words of the Minister of Labour, Social Policy, Displaced Persons and Refugees, Enda Pavić Pečenković.

"First of all, I want to emphasize the importance of cooperation between education, social welfare, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton because, through the regulations currently in force and according to available statistical data, we can measure the decrease in juvenile delinquency in our canton. Considering such results, we should continue to work together and enhance cooperation between educational institutions, social welfare institutions, and police administrations, and work on educating the professional staff of these institutions to further improve cooperation," stated Minister Pavić Pečenković on this occasion.

It was concluded at the meeting that the multi-sectoral approach to this issue will continue in the future, and protection procedures will be improved, as society as a whole must have zero tolerance for violence."