COVID-19 DELINQUENCY

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many children and adolescence have become vulnerable to the various disruptions. Some are at the risk of being left behind in their education, experience serious health challenges and deep poverty. Poverty and unemployment rates due to COVID-19 have increased. These hardships are risk factors for children and adolescence to get involved in gangs, crime, drug abuse, and sexual promiscuity.

The impact of the confinement and restrictions of the pandemic include: limited access to education, stress within households – exposure to various forms of abuse, domestic violence, cyberbullying, poor mental well-being, and loss of physical social contacts.

Children and adolescence may less likely seek help due to the lockdown measures. This will limit their access to getting positive coping strategies. They may turn to negative coping mechanism such as the use of substances and self-harm.