4 Delinquency at home and at school
(1) Violence in Family
Fig. 7-2-1-4-1 shows the number of reported cases for violent act in family committed by juveniles by their educational/employment status since 1988. The number remained within the range of 700 to 800 around the early 1990s, but then continued to exceed 1,000 following a sharp increase in 2000, and was 1,484 in 2010 (up 25.7% from the previous year). By educational/employment status, junior high school students accounted for the highest proportion every year, and was 46.1% (684 cases) in 2010.
Fig. 7-2-1-4-1 Number of reported cases for violence in family committed by juveniles by educational/employment status (1988-2010)
As for the targets of violent act in 2010, mothers accounted for the largest number at 889 cases (59.9%), followed by household goods, etc. at 223 (15.0%), other members living in the same household at 142 (9.6%), fathers at 134 (9.0%), and brothers/sisters at 96 (6.5%) (Source: The Community Safety Bureau, National Police Agency).
(2) Violence at schools
Fig. 7-2-1-4-2 shows the number of cases of, and persons cleared/guided by the police for, violence occurring at schools since 1978. The number of cases reached a peak of 2,125 in 1983 and the number of persons cleared/guided by the police reached a peak of 10,468 in 1981, and then both started decreasing to 448 cases and 897 persons in 1996. The numbers were both generally increasing in recent years and were 1,211 cases (up 7.7% from the previous year) and 1,434 persons (up 5.5% (id.)) in 2010. Examining the educational status of juveniles cleared (guided by the police) revealed that junior high school students were dominant in number each year. In 2010 the number of junior high school students was 1,320 (92.1%), that of senior high school students 85 (5.9%), and that of elementary school students 29 (2.0%).
Fig. 7-2-1-4-2 Number of cases and persons cleared/guided by the police for violence occurring at schools (1978-2010)
(3) Bullying
Bullying varies in mode and not all bullying cases are subject to criminal justice procedures. In addition, the actual situation can often be difficult to be identified due to the very nature of the acts involved.
The number of cases and persons cleared/guided by the police due to bullying reached a peak in 1985 (638 cases and 1,950 persons) but was subsequently on a decreasing trend over the long term. In 2010 the numbers were 133 cases (130 cases took place due to bullying and three cases in retaliation to bullying) (down 30 from the previous year) and 281 persons (down 32 from the previous year) (Source: The Community Safety Bureau, National Police Agency).