Romania
Juvenile Delinquency
There have been significant changes regarding juvenile delinquency, as an increased number of children are involved in crimes and other violent felonies.
Out of the total number of crimes committed in 2000, the other of 7.2% were children, a similar percentage being also registered in 1999 (7.1%). Out of the total number of violent crimes committee by children, 90.6% were crimes against persons, the offenders’ ages being 14 – 17 years. However, the most crimes committed by children were against the property, representing 70% of the total number. Prostitution and international trafficking in children have become alarming phenomena for Romania. 112 prostitution cases were reported in 1998, in 2000 their number decreasing to 85 cases.
The number of victims who are included in recovery and integration projects developed by non-governmental organizations is much higher. The situation of children involved in drug dealing is getting worst every year. If in 1993 there were reported 14 cases of children (14-17 years) involved in drug dealing related felonies, 35 cases were registered in 2000, which indicates that the situation has gone worst. Over the last years, Romania turned from a transit country into a country where drugs are sold and used. The number of drug users younger than 18 years of age has increased and the age when children begin to use drugs decreased to 13-14 years. Studies carried out by Save the Children showed that almost 10% of the high school students have used drugs at least once.