Shock in Kempten: 12-year-old brutally attacks classmate!

Shock in Kempten: 12-year-old brutally attacks classmate!

In Kempten, an incident during school time caused a stir. A 12-year-old boy attacked a classmate of the same age during lunch break. This happened in a courtyard near the bus station, where the attacker first pulled his victim to the ground and then beat him and kicked him further, reports Mainpost. A group of other classmates observed the incident but did not intervene. The boy who was attacked suffered minor injuries to his back and face during the attack and later reported the incident to the police together with a parent.

The alleged perpetrator, who is not yet of criminal age, had to have an educational conversation with the police. Both the school and the youth welfare office were informed about the incident. Such behavior among young people is alarming, especially as crime among children and young people has undergone a number of developments in recent years.

A look at juvenile crime

Over the last two decades, crime among young people in Germany has experienced both qualitative and quantitative changes. According to that Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Most suspected children and young people usually only come to the attention of the police once. Only 5-10% commit multiple, sometimes serious, crimes. Intensive offenders, who are often affected by complex social problems, only make up a small part of the young population.

The latest statistics also show that the number of suspected children under the age of 14 will have increased by 12% by 2023. And in North Rhine-Westphalia, over 5,400 violent crimes were recorded at schools in 2022—an increase of more than 50% since 2019, according to the report Deutschlandfunk culture can be read. These statistics highlight a worrying trend, especially considering that schools are often prime crime scenes—particularly during lunch and after school hours.

The role of prevention

In view of this development, the prevention of youth violence is a key challenge. The Federal Ministry of Youth Affairs is working on various action strategies to prevent child and youth crime. Cooperation between youth welfare services, schools and the police has been strengthened to promote preventive measures. The Office for Child and Youth Crime Prevention at the German Youth Institute offers an important contact point for data-based information about what violence prevention action can look like.

However, the causes of violence among young people are complex. A comparison with recent years shows that social media is perceived as an increasing factor in violent behavior. Attacks are often filmed and then distributed. The corona pandemic is also leaving its mark, as many young people are missing out on social activities and experiences that normally contribute to positive social interaction. The challenges are clear: There is a shortage of more than 14,500 teachers nationwide, resulting in less support for children in need.

The incident in Kempten brings into focus an important issue: the need to take the prevention of violence among young people seriously and to take effective measures to prevent further similar cases. The path to non-violent coexistence must be paved through cooperation, understanding and timely intervention.