China faces rising number of young offenders, says researcher

A noted Chinese youth researcher has warned that juvenile crime, which has been rising steadily in China over the past nine years since 1997, is becoming more violent and organized.

"Efforts should be made to better promote healthy growth of the youngsters," said Sun Yunxiao, deputy director of the China Youth and Children Research Center.

In an interview with the Beijing Evening News, Sun said that of all young offenders currently in jail almost 65 percent committed burglaries or robberies while more than 11 percent were convicted of sexual assault.

A survey done by the center shows that 25.1 percent of young offenders are from families that are financially stressed. Parents of half of the young offenders are poorly educated.

The survey also shows the majority of young offenders did poorly in school. The were also often ostracized by their peer groups.

Nearly 70 percent of young offenders haunted video game halls, noted the survey without providing details on what percentage of young people at video game halls were young offenders.

Source: Xinhua