Perceptions of Juvenile Crime Survey

About the study

A study of public perceptions in the context of renewed debate on juvenile crime following the killing of 16-year-old Atlas Çağlayan in Istanbul by another child of the same age. The results show that a large majority believed the involvement of children aged 14–18 in assault and similar offences had increased over the preceding ten years.

Key findings

• 87% believed children’s involvement in crime had increased: 67.7% said “increased greatly” and 19.7% said “increased”. 9.6% had no opinion, while fewer than 3% believed it had decreased.
• The main reasons cited for children being drawn into crime were impunity or light sentences (63.2%), the glorification of crime and offenders (53.1%), and declining educational quality (36%).

Methodology

The web article did not provide the sample size or fieldwork dates; the study was conducted as part of Aksoy Araştırma’s public opinion research.

Ertan Aksoy’s assessment (summary)

Ertan Aksoy describes the problem as “ignorance emboldened”: legitimising crime and offenders, particularly on digital platforms, creates a serious social risk. He argues that, just as combating drugs requires tackling supply, preventing the glorification of crime is essential here.