Porn blamed as sex offences by juveniles treble

Published: Monday, September 12, 2011

THE number of sex crimes carried out by juveniles has nearly trebled, official figures show.

Both rape crisis groups and Garda sources have suggested that easier access to hard-core pornography is a factor in the increase.

Figures on juvenile crime also show a doubling in the number of robberies perpetrated by juveniles (between the ages of 10 and 18). Gardaí say much of this involves the robbery of smartphones.

The 2010 report of the Garda Diversion Programme shows that the total number of offences carried out by juveniles rose by 14% in 2010. This has happened as the number of child offenders fell by 3%.

Gardaí say some of the rise in offences is due to changes in the recording system, which now records all crimes involving juveniles. Previously, some of the more minor offences, such as thefts, were not fully recorded.

However, gardaí say all of the more serious crimes, such as sexual offences, were previously recorded, so this could not explain the sharp rise in this area.

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