NRW is demanded or called for
In response to the rising youth violence and juvenile crime in North Rhine-Westphalia, SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers has proposed a multi-faceted approach to address the issue. This approach includes the establishment of "Houses of Juvenile Law" (Jugendrechts-Häuser), creation of special residential groups for at-risk youth, and ensuring swift criminal prosecution.
The "Houses of Juvenile Law" aim to provide a centralised place where social services, law enforcement, and judicial authorities can work closely together to support young offenders and prevent further crimes. These facilities, operated by youth welfare carriers, would offer structured living environments with targeted social and psychological support for youths who need more intensive intervention.
Faster legal processing is meant to reinforce consequences and improve deterrence. Bongers believes that swift criminal prosecution is crucial to maintain the credibility of the rule of law, especially with juvenile offenders.
The context of these measures arises amid reports showing rising violent and criminal behaviour among youth in North Rhine-Westphalia, especially young foreigners and those with migrant backgrounds, who are disproportionately represented in crime statistics compared to native German youth.
Bongers' initiatives reflect a broader political response within NRW to combat juvenile delinquency amid the documented challenges posed by increasing crime rates among young people, particularly from migrant backgrounds, as shown in recent federal crime data.
The expansion of "Houses of Juvenile Law" in North Rhine-Westphalia was pushed under the previous SPD-led state government. Currently, there are seven such houses in the state. Bongers emphasises the need for further expansion and good staffing of these facilities to be done promptly.
To ensure swift prosecution, Bongers suggests better staffing of law enforcement agencies and courts. Compared to the year 2017, when Interior Minister Reul took office, the crime figures represent a significant increase. In 2022, the recorded crime figures in North Rhine-Westphalia have increased by 3.4% compared to the previous year, totaling over 1.41 million offenses.
The "Houses of Juvenile Law" integrate police, public prosecutor's office, youth welfare, and juvenile court assistance. Bongers sees these facilities as a good approach, as they improve the cooperation of responsible actors.
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- The approach proposed by SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers, including the establishment of "Houses of Juvenile Law," aims to address the rising crime and violence among youth in North Rhine-Westphalia by integrating social services, law enforcement, and judicial authorities to support young offenders and prevent further crimes.
- Bongers' multiple initiatives, such as ensuring swift criminal prosecution and expanding the "Houses of Juvenile Law," are part of a broader political response in NRW to combat juvenile delinquency, particularly among young people with migrant backgrounds, given the increased crime rates documented in recent federal data.
