Ram-raids & break-ins, acts of desperation: we need to see youth crime in context

Youth19 co-lead Dr Terryann Clark commented in a Northland Age article, following a recent speight of ram-raids and break-ins.

"I see these acts as acts of desperation from young people who are feeling like their future isn't very bright and the perfect storm with young people feeling unloved and unsupported about their future opportunities,

It's so much harder for young people these days to get access to safe, warm and affordable housing, as well as food, education and employment opportunities, than it was for previous generations.

Covid-19 has also taken its toll, with young people spending longer than normal time outside of school and who haven't had access to normal social activities like sport or kapa haka, etc.

People want to blame this on young people or social media, but the fact is most people who see this online will not go out and do ram raids, so it's important to understand the context in which people are living and the situations that influence their behaviour"

Read the full article here.