The Prosecutor General's Office: Juvenile crime rates have halved over the past 10 years.

February 20, Minsk . Over the past 10 years, the juvenile crime rate has been halved. Viktoria Finevich, Head of the Department for Supervision of Legislation on Minors and Youth at the Prosecutor General's Office, spoke about this at a BELTA panel discussion titled "Preventing Crime Among Young People: Organizational and Practical Measures to Prevent Criminal Behavior in Children and Adolescents."
"Over the past 10 years, juvenile crime has halved, reaching its lowest point in 2023—1,353 crimes. Meanwhile, by the end of 2024 , the number of crimes committed by teenagers increased by 6.1%. This increase was primarily due to fraud, illegal circulation of payment instruments, drug trafficking, and hooliganism," said Victoria Finevych.

She drew attention to the fact that in today's world, the internet not only carries positive information but is also a source of suicide threats, crimes, the inculcation of non-traditional values, and a means of manipulating young people and actively involving them in extremist activities. "I would like to note that in 2024, almost one in seven crimes committed by minors involved internet use. Today, at the initiative of the Prosecutor General's Office, a set of measures to ensure the information security of minors online is being developed. Issues such as limiting children's online time, as well as their use of social media and gadgets, are being considered," noted the head of the department. At the same time, Viktoria Finevich pointed out that government measures alone are not enough. " Parents
should be primarily responsible for their children . They must monitor their children's activities in their free time, especially online. In this regard, the draft law 'On Amendments to Laws Concerning Ensuring Children's Rights' includes a provision that obligates parents to ensure the protection of children from destructive information," she emphasized. The representative of the Prosecutor General's Office noted that family dysfunction, lack of employment outside of school, and the lack of organized, popular forms of leisure contribute to adolescent crime. In this regard, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will soon significantly expand the list of light work that can be performed by individuals aged 14 to 16. The corresponding resolution is already undergoing approval. Victoria Finevich specifically addressed the issue of drug and alcohol use among minors. "Successful treatment of adolescents for drug or alcohol addiction depends on the timely identification of this problem, as well as seeking qualified help from specialists. The state has adopted amendments to the law to assist parents facing this problem."



"On the Fundamentals of the System for the Prevention of Juvenile Neglect and Delinquency," which came into force on January 12, 2025. These amendments provide for the provision of social and psychological assistance, medical rehabilitation, and preventive medical care for individuals who use psychoactive substances. It should be especially noted that such rehabilitation will be conducted, including on a confidential basis, upon the request of parents or legal guardians," the head of the department added.