There is a common saying that childhood is the happiest time in one’s life; when one feels secure and safe. But a survey in Britain proves the old adage wrong.
A survey by the Howard League for Penal Reform of more than 3,000 children between ages 10 and 15, found an astounding 95% of them have been exposed to crime.
Almost three-quarters had been assaulted over the previous year. Two-thirds had been victims of theft. More than half the children had seen their property deliberately damaged, while others reported threats or verbal abuse.
The majority of incidents occurred in schools and playgrounds, with much of the rest being between school and home.
Now this report was conducted in Britain with British children but its findings reflect a universal truth of life, not investigated properly.
To an adult this may seem kid stuff but in the realm of a child’s world such ‘childish’ crimes seem like big threatening monsters capable of scarring a child’s psyche. As Frances Crook, director of the Howard League says,
To children however, in a child-sized world, these crimes ... do matter.
Some of the children may become tense and fearful. The league report indicates that they become unduly obsessed with safety; they look for safe places to play and in later life look for safe environs to work in.
Other children are affected differently. Another study which was published by Victim Support states unequivocally that children who were victims of crime may turn to crime themselves.
Child victims of crime often do not report about it as they feel adults will not take them seriously, which most of the times is sadly true.
What is the way out of this grave, ‘childish’ problem? The League wants there should be better monitoring of such crimes in schools and offenders must made to apologize to the victim. Victim Support wants support for victims and offenders, as many children fall into both categories.
