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Youth Criminal Action in Canada

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Youth Criminal Action in Canada
There has been a significant increase in criminal activity among youth in Canada, in recent years, threatening the safety of future generations. People are beginning to recognize this fact and are concerned whether or not the justice system will be able to protect them from the rise in crime. The justice system utilizes many resources to correct criminal behaviors in the youth of today. Strain on the courts and corrections divisions of the justice system have been amplified directly resulting from these youth offenses causing a greater need for probation officers, rehabilitation and correction centers, school resource officers and extracurricular activities such as sports or specialized programs that keep youth off the streets. What types of crimes are being committed by youth and why are they committing these crimes? Do they realize the effect that their actions have on the victims and their families? What consequences are there for their actions and how can society deter youth from participating in criminal activity? How has Canada’s youth justice system changed over the years and more importantly how effective is the criminal justice system in assisting youth criminals enlisted to their care programs? The youth of today are the future of tomorrow. In order for our children and grandchildren to live in a safe and secure society, we must examine the resources that we currently have in place, and make extensive efforts to reduce criminal activity in Canadian youth now.

The types of crimes committed by youth have been becoming more serious over the last 50 years in Canada. Children have been known for petty crimes, such as shoplifting a candy bar or a soda, but crimes have become much more extreme in recent years. Although murder, aggravated assault and sexual assault are a smaller portion of youth crime, it is still a huge scare to society. How can people feel secure in their communities if there are fifteen year old killers and rapists skulking
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