Juvenile Knife Crime in Rotterdam

In the last years, the media published numerous articles about juvenile knife crime in Rotterdam. In many of these articles it becomes clear that two assumptions are made. First, the assumption that juvenile knife crime in Rotterdam is increasing. Second, the assumption of a causal relationship between drill music and juvenile knife crime. However, most of the claims about rising numbers and a causal relation between drill music and juvenile knife crime are based on general assumptions which are not supported by evident-based research. Since scholars argue that there are reasons other than drill music for juveniles committing a knife crime, this thesis focuses on the question: “to what extent is drill music reflected in the motives of juveniles committing knife crime in Rotterdam in the judgements of the court of Rotterdam in the period 2013-2022?” The thesis starts with an overview of drill music and a description of the context of Rotterdam. Thereafter, an analysis of 63...Show moreIn the last years, the media published numerous articles about juvenile knife crime in Rotterdam. In many of these articles it becomes clear that two assumptions are made. First, the assumption that juvenile knife crime in Rotterdam is increasing. Second, the assumption of a causal relationship between drill music and juvenile knife crime. However, most of the claims about rising numbers and a causal relation between drill music and juvenile knife crime are based on general assumptions which are not supported by evident-based research. Since scholars argue that there are reasons other than drill music for juveniles committing a knife crime, this thesis focuses on the question: “to what extent is drill music reflected in the motives of juveniles committing knife crime in Rotterdam in the judgements of the court of Rotterdam in the period 2013-2022?” The thesis starts with an overview of drill music and a description of the context of Rotterdam. Thereafter, an analysis of 63 judgements published by the court of Rotterdam was conducted. This thesis identified the motives of juveniles that committed a knife crime in Rotterdam. Additionally, the number of juveniles involved in knife crime over the years was analyzed in order to examine if it is actually increasing. The findings of this research indicate that drill music is not reflected in the motives of juveniles that committed a knife crime in Rotterdam in the period 2013-2022. Instead of drill music, poor mental health, engagement with delinquent peers, or facilitating a robbery were the three most common reasons Furthermore, juvenile knife crime in Rotterdam has been increasing since 2019 based on the judgements.Show less

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Juvenile Knife Crime in Rotterdam