State Council: Juvenile violence rising — child victims +118%, offences +54%

The State Council for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency and Justice for Children reports a sharp rise in youth violence and court-registered child victims in its 2025 annual review.

According to the 2025 report, the number of children recorded as victims in court documents increased by 118 percent, while juvenile misdemeanors rose by 54 percent. The council highlights that, among children who commit violent acts, girls now represent a larger share.

Council links surge to family breakdown and weaker parental authority

Council officials point to disrupted family relationships and the erosion of parental authority as central causes. They argue that earlier intervention by parents and school-based professional services is needed to identify and stop emerging problems.

As a concrete prevention step, the council proposes creating municipal councils that bring together representatives from education, health and the judiciary. "We have already begun forming municipal councils in Gjorche Petrov, Kisela Voda and Čair where peer-violence cases occurred. By identifying problems locally we will understand differences between communities and municipal councils will be able to help," the council says.

Gordana Lažetić, Chair of the State Council for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency and Justice for Children, warned against passive reactions by bystanders: "That quiet approval of what happens — for example filming an incident instead of stopping it and reporting it — is something we do not justify. We believe that professional services in schools should work with both children and parents." The report also recalls several recent peer-violence episodes, including a case in Čair where a 13-year-old boy was fatally stabbed during a fight.

Photo: press material from the event