The number of incidents involving juveniles received into security units in Türkiye reached 612,651 in 2024, marking a 9.8% increase compared to the previous year, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) announced on Friday.

According to the data, juveniles were received into security units in various capacities: 279,620 as victims, 202,785 for being pushed into crime (allegedly committing an act defined as a crime), 96,438 as witnesses, 18,561 as lost (later found), 8,729 for alleged misdemeanors, and 6,518 for other reasons.

Of the 202,785 juveniles received into security units for being pushed into crime, 40.4% were charged with assault. Theft accounted for 16.6% of cases, while 8.2% involved the use, sale, or purchase of drugs. Threat-related offences made up 4.6% of cases, with the remaining 26% linked to other offences.

Victims accounted for 45.6% of juveniles received into security units. Among the 279,620 victims, 86.1% were victims of crime and 13.8% were victims of followed incidents.

Of the 240,872 juvenile victims of crime, 55.3% were victims of assault, 10.8% were victims of sexual offences, 9.5% were victims of migrant smuggling, 8% were victims of offences against family order, and 16.5% were victims of other types of incidents.

The data highlights an increase in juvenile involvement in security-related incidents both as victims and as suspects, underscoring the importance of targeted prevention and protection measures. (ILKHA)