The Prime Minister is calling for a “surge of authority” towards younger people who are considered to be excessively violent or likely to be so. Both he and the President of the Republic blame parents for the riots of the summer of 2023, focusing on children who have escaped parental authority. They criticize parents who are negligent and denounce a “culture of excuses”. However, the discourse on the escalating violence of children is not new, as it has been addressed in the past with groups such as the Apaches, the Black Jackets, and more recently, the “sauvageons”. While the natural violence of young people is undeniable and has increased since the 1980s, it cannot be used as a smokescreen for the underlying social problems in society that have not been addressed.
Ensuring safety requires not only addressing young people already involved in violent behavior, but also tackling the root causes to prevent further waves of violence. The government’s plan to combat youth violence appears to be improvised and activist, focusing on the exercise of power in combating insecurity without addressing the real issues at hand. Introducing immediate appearance for minors over 16 is already possible under the juvenile justice code that came into effect in 2021, allowing them to be judged within a month and placed in temporary detention in the meantime. The issue of implementing this system is complex, as it challenges the mitigating factor of minority and may lead to punishing children as adults, going against the principle of individualization of sentences.
Proposed penalties such as community service for negligent parents in addition to fines and imprisonment are being considered as a way to address the issue. However, the implementation of such measures is more difficult, as it requires time and resources, such as the parental training programs initiated by prosecutors like in Metz. The use of school internships as a solution is also being discussed, but without proper social support, their effectiveness may be limited. The challenge lies in how to guide and maintain truants in these internships, especially when dealing with children lacking parental support. The presence of social workers and judges who can take the time to convince parents and children of the benefits of such programs is crucial, but the availability of such professionals remains a question.
In conclusion, the current approach to addressing youth violence in France must extend beyond punitive measures to address the underlying social issues that contribute to such behavior. While increasing authority and punishment may act as a deterrent, a more comprehensive strategy that involves social workers, educators, and judges is needed to provide sustainable solutions. By emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes and providing support to families and communities, the government can work towards creating a safer and more stable environment for young people in France.
