Kuwait records 206 juvenile complaints and 101 criminal cases

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 3: Colonel Khalid Al-Hashash, Assistant Director of the Juvenile Protection Department, stated that protecting juveniles from various risks and behavioral problems is a top priority for the department, particularly in light of the increasing challenges they encounter such as cyberextortion, cyberbullying, school violence, traffic offenses, and the use of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Colonel Al-Hashash stressed the need for a coordinated approach involving security agencies, families, and state institutions to reduce these risks and handle their underlying causes. In a recent interview with the daily, he revealed that the Child Protection Section had handled 206 complaints this year, in addition to recording 76 misdemeanors and 25 felonies. Colonel Al-Hashash also highlighted the ongoing security efforts and awareness campaigns aimed at responding to reports and cases involving juveniles while strengthening measures to protect and support them. He explained that the responsibilities of the Juvenile Investigation Division extend beyond taking legal action against juveniles accused of offenses. They also include examining individual cases, assessing their social circumstances, and working with families and relevant authorities to help rehabilitate their behavior. Colonel Al-Hashash emphasized the importance of early intervention in preventing juveniles from engaging in delinquent behavior.

The following is the full interview:

Answer: Other security agencies focus primarily on law enforcement duties, such as handling traffic violations and carrying out responsibilities within their respective jurisdictions. These include general security, patrol units, and other entities tasked with making arrests, detaining individuals, and receiving reports. In contrast, the Juvenile Investigation Department is specifically mandated by law to conduct inquiries and preliminary investigations into cases involving juveniles and refer juvenile offenders to the Juvenile Prosecution.

A: Traffic violations, violence, bullying, cyber-extortion, and the sale of tobacco products to minors are among the most significant risks facing juveniles today. We work to address these challenges through continuous monitoring, receiving complaints and reports, and conducting ongoing awareness campaigns. We also maintain a field presence, particularly to combat the sale of tobacco and e-cigarette products to minors.

A: In all cases of exploitation, the juvenile is treated as a victim. The perpetrator is dealt with according to the Juvenile Law if the offender is also a juvenile, or the Child Rights Law if the offender is an adult, such as a close relative or primary caregiver. The law provides for harsher penalties against adults who exploit minors.

A: Extortion, cyberbullying, school violence, loss of life and property resulting from minors driving vehicles, and emerging cases involving the use of electronic hookahs (vapes) mixed with narcotics or psychotropic substances.

A: Legal procedures are initiated by apprehending those involved in the altercation and conducting the necessary investigations. If the incident occurs on school premises, coordination is established with the Ministry of Education to obtain the relevant information and evidence before referring the case file to the Juvenile Prosecution.

A: In addition to the legal procedures carried out by the relevant authorities, such as apprehending suspects and referring them for investigation, the specialized unit within the Juvenile Protection Department conducts a case study and opens a file for the minor, classifying them as being “at risk of delinquency.”

A: The legal procedures stipulated under the Juvenile Law are applied. Minors are either summoned or apprehended in accordance with the applicable legal provisions, questioned, and subjected to the necessary investigations. Their cases are then referred to the Juvenile Prosecution.

A: The family is an essential partner in this process, and its cooperation is vital. The presence of a parent or legal guardian is mandatory so that we can explain the nature of the case and the extent of the problem. This helps facilitate efforts to correct the juvenile’s behavior, obtain a formal undertaking to ensure proper care and supervision, and conduct a case study to assess the juvenile’s social circumstances.

A: Parents should not ignore such changes or resort to physical punishment. Instead, they should make an effort to understand their children’s problems and build closer relationships with them. We also strongly encourage parents to seek assistance from specialized advisory bodies, including those concerned with child and family welfare at the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Health. Any concerns should be reported promptly to ensure they are addressed before they escalate.

A: The Child Protection Section of the Juvenile Protection Department handled 206 complaints this year, in addition to recording 76 misdemeanors and 25 felonies. Furthermore, Colonel Al-Hashash explained that an abused juvenile is placed under the care of a trusted family member, following a specific order of priority that begins with the parents, followed by grandparents, and then aunts or uncles, to ensure a safe family environment. If no suitable family guardian is available, the juvenile is provided with protection and placed in a care facility in coordination with the relevant authorities at the Ministry of Social Affairs. Colonel Al-Hashash stressed that addressing a problem at an early stage is very different from dealing with it after it has progressed. He explained that, upon receiving a report, the juvenile’s case is carefully studied to identify the underlying causes of their behavioral problems and determine the most appropriate methods of rehabilitation. The necessary measures are then implemented based on the individual circumstances of each case. Colonel Al-Hashash stated that the new traffic law has contributed significantly to reducing cases of juveniles driving without a license, thanks to stricter penalties and vehicle impoundment. He revealed that traffic-related offenses are the most common cases handled by the Juvenile Protection Department.