The disappearance of child crime in Spain, the consequent absence of debate and, once again, a mirror in which to look at oneself: Germany.

Abstract

There have recently been different voices in Spain calling for increasing the severity of the punitive response mechanisms for crimes committed by minors, that is, those between the ages of 14 and 17. These requirements also 

extend to those offenders under the age of 14, who are currently not criminally responsible. Now, with respect to this specific age group, and unlike what happens with juvenile delinquency, there are no police statistics in Spain that reflect the evolution, incidence and characteristics of so-called childhood delinquency. This prevents a scientific debate regarding a possible lowering of the criminal age. In the context described, and from a comparative perspective, in Germany there are also increasing voices demanding the punishment of 12- and 13-year-old children who are responsible for serious crimes. Now, unlike what happens in Spain, said debate (for or against) can be carried out in the German country, since police statistics do reflect the incidence of what there is called Kinderdelinquenz. Based on the above, this article denounces the lack of data on child crime that currently exists in Spain, consequently demanding its inclusion in future Statistical Yearbooks published by the Spanish Home Office.