Children experiencing parental violence show significantly higher rates of juvenile delinquency, survey finds

A survey of 1,820 first- to third-year students at five junior high schools in the Kansai region, conducted between December 2024 and January 2025, found that 27.4% of respondents reported experiencing parental violence such as slapping and shoving, while 14.2% reported being hit with an object or beaten strongly.

The delinquency rate—measured by involvement in shoplifting or other delinquent acts in the past year—rose to 9.9% among those who had experienced parental violence, compared with 2.8% among those who had not. The rate reached 12.2% among respondents who had both experienced parental violence and come from families that are not financially comfortable.

Kyoto University professor Takeshi Okabe, a member of the research group, stated that improving support for families with difficulties is expected to curb delinquency.