During ten years until 2009, the number of crimes committed by minors had decreased, but then started to rise slightly. In 2009, there were recorded 1 143 such cases, while in 2010 the number rose to 1 353. The data were presented in a conference themed “Juvenile delinquency in Moldova: challenges and solutions” that was organized by the Institute for Penal Reform, Info-Prim Neo reports. Mariana Buciuceanu-Vrabie, senior scientific researcher of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, said that among the most frequent offenses committed by minors are the thefts, robberies and burglaries. The specialists are alarmed that the number of such serious crimes as rape, intentional causing of bodily injuries and murder committed by juvenile delinquents has slightly increased during the last few years. “In 2009-2010, the number of juvenile delinquents increased by 20%, while of offenses by 18%. This shows that some of the minors commit crimes repeatedly. Most of the offenses are committed in urban areas,” said Mariana Buciuceanu-Vrabie. The crimes are mainly committed by boys, but the number of delinquent girls has increased in recent times. Doctor of Psychology Valentina Pritskan said the dysfunctional family environment is one of the most powerful factors affecting the harmonious development of the teens. Among other such factors are the deplorable living conditions, the lack of parental supervision and the deficiency of the spare time spending system. Institute for Penal Reform director Victor Zaharia said the juvenile delinquency can be stopped by developing programs involving children in schools, the community and the family. The minors breaking the law must be engaged in different correctional activities. There must be established partnership relations between relevant institutions. Marin Maxian, head of the Ministry of the Interior’s Prevention Division, said the minors over the first eight months of this year committed fewer crime than in the corresponding period last year, but the increase in the number of serious crimes is alarming. The conference was organized within the Promoting New Elements of Justice for Children in the Justice System of Moldova Project and the Partnership without Borders Program implemented by the Penal Reform Institute with financial support from UNICEF Moldova, the Embassy of Sweden and Soros Foundation Moldova.