Evaluation of children in conflict with the law who were referred to Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry between 2006-2011

Purpose: According to international agreements, each individual is 18 years of age are considered children. Children are beings that phsycal and mental development are continuing, greatly affecting by all kinds of external interference during this development and in need of care and education. The purpose of this study is to evaluate demographic features of dragged into crime children and their parents who were referred to Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Judical Cases Evaluation Committee and to evaluate characteristics and outcome of the offense with socio-cultural perspective.Material and Methods: Between 2006-2011, 141 cases that referred to Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Judical Cases Evaluation Committee with a variety of reasons were studied retrospectively.Results: In our study, 134 (%95.0) of these cases were male and 7 (%5.0) were female; mean age was 13.1+1,1 (13.6+1 for females, 13.1+1,1 for males). 76 cases (%46,1) were continued education, it was seen that 65 cases (%46,1) did not continue their education, 5 cases (%3,5) did not go to any educational institution and 8 cases continued their education by private educational institutions. 56 cases? mothers (%37,7) were not educated, 56 cases mothers (%37,3) graduated from primary school, 20 cases? fathers (% 14,2) were not educated, 71 cases fathers (%50,4) graduated from primary school. The average number of siblings of cases was 4.2+2,6 and it was seen 13 siblings in maximum. In the analysis of crimes committed we saw that theft is the most common crime with 50 cases (%35,5), sexual abuse is the second crime with 25 cases (%17,7).Conclusion: Although there are data on juvenile delinquency in our country, the adequacy and reliability of this information is questionable. Because of that, first of all, the current situation of juvenile delinquency in our country have to be determined and more extensive scientific studies must be applied. Prevention of juvenile delinquency is easier than rehabilitating these children and it is very helpful for public health. Training programs for increasing public awareness and sensitivity must be planned and applied.