In March 2024, Kyriakos Mitsotakis invited a number of prominent and distinguished scientists to the Maximos Mansion, assigning them the task of drafting a national strategy for the prevention of violence and the management of juvenile delinquency. One year later, today at 10:00 a.m., the report — spanning 150 pages — will be unveiled before the Prime Minister, followed at 12:30 by a detailed press conference with the relevant ministers.

The comprehensive report, viewed through the lens of children’s rights, includes a series of findings, indicators, and proposals for the state. The committee’s work, led by Professor Vasso Artinopoulou, was coordinated by Minister of State Akis Skertsos along with his associates in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Violence at five levels
The main offenses recorded include theft, bodily harm, robbery, grievous bodily harm, and, to a much lesser extent, rape. Simultaneously, domestic violence figures are rising, as the first nine months of 2024 saw a doubling of cases involving both boys and girls compared to the same period in 2023. Regarding school violence and bullying, a decline in frequency and scope is observed from 2010 to 2022. However, in terms of online violence, the risks children face on the internet are increasing, including cyberbullying and harassment.

Juvenile delinquency shows a strong upward trend in both 2023 and 2024, as well as a rise in serious violent incidents. Juvenile delinquency is taking on organized characteristics, while the average age of offenders is decreasing. There is also a more frequent involvement of girls in juvenile offenses, as well as repeated offender behavior.

Proposals for schools
The committee’s scientists also examined a series of policies launched in recent years, such as banning mobile phones from classrooms, changes in the legal framework, and the implementation of the SafeYouth and Panic Button platforms by the Hellenic Police. In light of these, they conclude that there are still many measures that could be implemented.

Starting with school violence, the scientists stress the need to train students in peaceful conflict resolution and propose mandatory school-based community service for students who engage in bullying. They also call for strengthening the role of education counselors, mandating their presence in school units within their jurisdiction three times per week.

Moreover, members of the National Committee propose the creation of Technical Junior High Schools, modeled after vocational high schools (EPAL), arguing that students who underperform in junior high tend to be more prone to delinquent behavior. They recommend piloting ten technical junior high schools in selected areas of the country.

Regarding domestic violence, the focus is on the role of parents, with the development of training, prevention, and support programs for parents/guardians/caregivers and prospective parents in “positive parenting.” At the same time, they emphasize the need for full and prompt investigation of abuse reports through the establishment and operation of Social Services in the country’s Courts of First Instance. The scientists also recommend the operation of emergency shelters for children who are victims of abuse.

Digital adulthood at 15
Given the aggravation of the issue due to the spread of the internet, the National Committee’s scientists propose instituting digital adulthood at the age of 15 and implementing mechanisms for control and age verification of users. One such tool, Kids Wallet, was presented in Parliament a few days ago.

Of course, violence also extends from the internet to the community, and scientists place particular emphasis on the role of the media in strengthening children’s sense of social responsibility and solidarity. They suggest involving popular online figures (influencers, YouTubers), athletes, and artists in anti-violence campaigns, among others.

The scientists particularly emphasize restorative justice over punitive legal provisions. They advocate the involvement of professionals in child-friendly restorative procedures. They also support the reformation and modernization of the corrective measure of assigning responsible custody of the juvenile to their parents or guardians, with mandatory participation in a family counseling program (joint sessions of the juvenile with their parents or guardians). Additionally, they propose the creation of therapeutic facilities for psychiatric assessment, therapeutic intervention, and housing for minors requiring special care, as well as shelters for juvenile offenders lacking appropriate family environments and exhibiting mild to moderate delinquent behavior.

Interventions in detention
Regarding detention, they propose adding provisions to prison legislation for the separate incarceration of the 15–18 age group. They also recommend relocating juvenile inmates from the Special Rural Correctional Institution for Young Offenders in Kassavetia and the Special Correctional Institutions for Young Offenders in Volos and Avlonas to appropriate facilities. Furthermore, they propose segregation of juvenile detainees based on gender, developmental stage, and specific needs such as addiction and psychiatric care. Lastly, they call for the provision of physical and mental health services, addiction treatment, education and vocational training, recreational activities, communication, and social integration programs.

Special emphasis is also placed on the reintegration plan for those serving their sentences, through strengthening the “EPANODOS NPID” body (under the supervision of the Ministry of Citizen Protection) and the establishment of branches in Volos, Thessaloniki, and Patras. Additionally, they propose the preparation of an individual social reintegration plan starting during the period of detention.