The Young Offenders Act : a panacea for violent youth crime in Canada?

This thesis presents an overview of juvenile justice in Canada, including the development of the Young Offenders Act from its predecessor, the Juvenile Delinquents Act. The shift in philosophy from a welfare approach to one which emphasizes accountability and responsibility for young persons is examined in terms of its implications for youth charge rates of violent crime. A comparison of youth and adult violent crime charge rates is completed, with a focus on the assault category, to suggest apparent trends in violent criminal behaviour. The argument that the YOA may have some independent effect on any increase in youth charges is qualified by an examination of methodological issues in the collection of any crime statistics, and by consideration of other significant social factors which may be contributing to youth criminal behaviour. An examination of the media's representation of violent youth crime suggests the predominant assumption is that criminal behaviour is unquestionably on the rise and this increase is clearly attributable to the YOA, in particular because young persons are believed to be fully aware of the contents of the Young Offenders Act. Evidence derived from a survey administered to a group of grade 7, 9, and 10 students is presented which suggests young persons in this group are relatively unfamiliar with even the most basic elements of the Act.