Vienna is planning a new Youth Court Plus to combat growing extremism!

Vienna is planning a new Youth Court Plus to combat growing extremism!

A discussion is underway in Vienna about a new court that will specifically respond to the growing challenges of extremism and juvenile crime. Margit Wachberger, who has been in charge of the General Procuratorate since November 2023, presents the proposal for a “Youth Court Plus”. This is intended to function as a second criminal court in the city and would not only deal with classic juvenile crimes, but also with more specific offenses in the area of ​​extremism. oe24 reports about the need for this new institute.

Wachberger argues that the existing regional criminal court no longer meets the needs of a growing city like Vienna. The spatial situation is currently tense and the existing capacities of the public prosecutor's office and the Josefstadt prison are overloaded. A new court would also have to be accompanied by a corresponding correctional facility that can accommodate young pre-trial prisoners and the necessary security standards. As part of the requirements, Wachberger appeals for the creation of specialized judicial authorities in order to provide appropriate care for juvenile delinquents and people who are conspicuous in the context of state security and terrorism crimes.

Focus on juvenile crime

The issue of juvenile crime is not only important in Austria. A look across the borders shows that Germany is also struggling with an increase in violent crimes among young people. According to reports from the Federal Criminal Police Office, violent crime among young people has increased by around a third since 2019. Possible causes for this include psychological stress, family difficulties and a general fear of the future. This particularly affects refugee young people, who often find little support in family and social structures. DW added the picture with examples of extremist acts in which minors are also involved today.

Horrifying example: Two young people from Germany who identified with the “Islamic State” planned an attack on a Christmas market and were only stopped by acute police intervention. Unfortunately, such acts are not isolated cases and show how deeply extremist views can penetrate society. The “Violence Prevention Network” organization has been committed to de-radicalization for over 20 years and offers a contact point for security authorities to dissuade young people from extremist content.

Potential for positive developments

There is still hope that through dialogue and communication with young people, insights into the realities of their lives can be gained. Managing director Thomas Mücke emphasizes the importance of this communication in order to avoid loneliness and the lack of support, which can lead to radicalization. For many young people, it is becoming a challenge to avoid the dangerous currents on social media such as TikTok or Instagram, which often serve as breeding grounds for extremist views. In addition, 431 “high-risk people” have been identified in recent years, the majority of them young people. DW refers to the drastic recidivism rates among young people who use programs like VPN.

In summary, the idea of ​​a specialized juvenile court in Vienna could not only relieve the burden on the local justice system, but also offer an effective approach to do justice to young offenders and guide them on the right path. Apparently it is up to society, both local and national, to take an interest in the concerns of these young people and find solutions. This is the only way to break the spiral of violence and radicalization.