Kids are committing crimes at younger and younger ages, according to the results of a survey conducted by a local NGO, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.
After interviewing 151 offenders between the ages of 13 and 25 – 42 percent of which had been arrested at some point – the NGO found that over 70 percent of them had committed their first crime when they were 15 years old or younger (and we’re not just talking about underage drinking).
Almost 65 percent of those surveyed said they had been members of a triad, while 29 percent said they had been involved with drug trafficking, reports the SCMP.
“Lack of legal education and parental care all contribute to juvenile delinquency,” said Michael Wong, a lawyer who helps the organisation.
One respondent said they started selling items illegally when they were at the tender age of 7, while another said he had sold drugs while still in primary school (which raises the question, who the hell was buy drugs from kids?!).
Over 80 percent of respondents said they got involved in crime to make a quick buck.
“Most of these juvenile delinquents have had little education and have no skills and it’s hard for them to find a proper job,” said the NGO’s supervisor Wilson Chan.
Photo: Sputnik Mania via Flickr
