Colonel Al-Hushash to 'Al-Siyasah': 'Child Protection' Recorded 206 Complaints and 101 Crimes in 2026

Blackmail, cyberbullying, and school violence are among the most prominent risks.

Harsher penalties for adults exploiting minors.

We study juvenile cases and open files on at-risk youth.

We coordinate with the Ministry of Education if a fight occurs within school premises.

Juveniles driving vehicles and using electronic shisha are among the most prominent issues.

Colonel Khaled Al-Hashash, Assistant Director of the Juvenile Protection Department, emphasized that protecting juveniles from risks and behavioral deviations is a priority for the department, given the growing challenges they face, including blackmail, cyberbullying, school violence, traffic violations, and the use of narcotics and psychoactive substances. Al-Hashash stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among security agencies, families, and state institutions to prevent these risks and address their root causes.

In an exclusive interview with "Al-Siyasah," he stated that the Child Protection Department handled 206 complaints this year, in addition to recording 76 misdemeanors and 25 felonies. He confirmed the continuation of security and awareness efforts to address reports and cases involving juveniles, enhancing their protection and care.

He emphasized that the role of the Juvenile Investigation Department is not limited to taking legal action against juveniles accused in various cases, but extends to studying their cases, understanding their social circumstances, and working to correct their behavior in collaboration with their families and relevant authorities. He highlighted the importance of early intervention to protect them from deviance. The following are the details:

What is the difference between the role of the Juvenile Investigation Department and other security agencies in handling juvenile cases?

Other security sectors focus on judicial police duties, such as traffic violations, and territorial jurisdiction, such as General Security or patrols, or any other entity, whether through arrest, detention, or receiving reports. In contrast, the role of the Juvenile Investigation Department is specifically defined by law for conducting investigations and preliminary inquiries in juvenile cases, as well as referring delinquent juveniles to the Juvenile Prosecution Office.

What are the most prominent risks facing juveniles in Kuwaiti society currently, and how do you address them?

Violations of traffic laws, violence, bullying, cyber-extortion, and the sale of tobacco products to juveniles are the most prominent risks currently facing juveniles. We work to mitigate these through follow-up, receiving complaints and reports, continuous awareness campaigns, and our field presence, particularly regarding the sale of electronic tobacco products to juveniles.

Victims of Exploitation

How do you handle cases where a juvenile is a victim of exploitation by older individuals?

A juvenile is treated as a victim in all cases of exploitation. The person exploiting them is dealt with according to the Juvenile Law if the accused is a juvenile, and according to the Child Rights Law if the accused is an adult, particularly close relatives or guardians. Harsher penalties are imposed on adults who exploit minors.

Blackmail and Bullying

What are the most prominent types of cases you have identified recently that require intensified efforts to protect juveniles?

Cyber-extortion, cyberbullying, school violence, and the loss of lives and property resulting from juveniles driving vehicles, along with the spread of electronic shisha laced with narcotics and psychoactive substances.

How do you handle cases of fights and physical assaults among juveniles, whether in schools or elsewhere?

Legal measures are taken, and the parties involved in the fight are apprehended. Necessary investigations are conducted, and coordination with the Ministry of Education takes place if the fight occurs within school premises to gather data and evidence, and the file is referred to the Juvenile Prosecution Office.

Drug Use

What is the role of the Juvenile Protection Department in handling cases involving drug use or trafficking when one of the parties involved is a juvenile?

Concurrent with legal procedures carried out by the competent authorities—namely, arresting suspects and referring them to investigative bodies—the Juvenile Protection Department prepares a case study and opens a file for a juvenile at risk of delinquency.

Theft Crimes

What is the mechanism for dealing with juveniles suspected of involvement in theft, assault, or other crimes?

Legal procedures under the Juvenile Law are applied, including summoning or arresting them within legal frameworks, conducting investigations, performing necessary inquiries, and referring the cases to the Juvenile Public Prosecution.

The Role of the Family

What is the family’s role in the procedures followed when a juvenile is arrested or summoned in connection with a specific case?

The family is a fundamental partner, and their cooperation is required. The presence of the guardian is mandatory to allow us to inform them about the nature and severity of the case, thereby enabling them to contribute to correcting the juvenile’s behavior, providing the necessary commitment to ensure proper care for the juvenile, and conducting a case study to assess the juvenile’s social circumstances.

Guardians

What message do you convey to parents who notice a sudden change in their children’s behavior or their association with friends that may expose them to legal or social risks?

Do not ignore changes in your children’s behavior, and avoid resorting to physical punishment. Instead, try to understand their problems and draw closer to them. We strongly recommend seeking assistance from specialized advisory bodies concerning children and families under the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Health. Prompt reporting is essential to resolve issues quickly and prevent them from escalating.

What are the key statistics recorded by the Child Protection Section of the Juvenile Protection Department this year?

The Juvenile Protection Department’s Child Protection Section handled 206 complaints this year, in addition to recording 76 misdemeanors and 25 felonies.

The Abused Juvenile... and the Trusted Guardian

Colonel Al-Hushash confirmed that an abused juvenile is placed with a trusted family member, following a hierarchy that begins with the father and mother, then grandparents, and then uncles, ensuring a safe family environment. If no trusted guardian is available, the juvenile is protected and housed in care facilities in coordination with the relevant authorities at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Case Study... and Behavior Correction

Colonel Al-Hushash emphasized that addressing a problem at its early stages differs from dealing with it in advanced stages. He explained that upon receiving a report, a case study is conducted to identify the causes of delinquency and determine the best ways to correct the juvenile’s behavior, after which appropriate measures are taken based on the nature of the situation.

Traffic Law Contributed to a Reduction in Unlicensed Driving Offenses

Colonel Khaled Waleed Al-Hushash confirmed that the new Traffic Law significantly contributed to a decline in juvenile cases involving unlicensed driving, due to stricter penalties and vehicle impoundment. He noted that traffic cases are the most prominent among those handled by the Juvenile Protection Department.

Bint Obeid: Filing a Lawsuit Upon Proven Neglect of a Minor

First Lieutenant Aisha Nasser Bint Obeid, an officer at the Juvenile Protection Department within the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation, confirmed that the department handles cases of cyber-extortion, cyberbullying, and online threats involving juveniles with complete confidentiality, taking into account their psychological state and protecting their reputation.

Bint Obeid told "Al-Siyasah" that the department coordinates with the Cybercrime Department to track down perpetrators, arrest them, and refer them to the competent authorities. It also follows up on incoming reports, participates in awareness campaigns and events targeting juveniles and their parents, and receives complaints with complete confidentiality for processing.

She noted that early detection could help protect juveniles, urging attention to sudden behavioral changes, such as academic decline, possession of money or belongings of unknown origin, unexplained absences, and unusual outings. She emphasized that if neglect in the care of a minor or abuse against them is proven, a legal lawsuit is initiated in accordance with the law, which also allows for transferring the juvenile to a safe environment if necessary.

She pointed out that among the key challenges facing juvenile management is the ease with which children access inappropriate content, befriend unknown individuals, and the potential for crimes involving perpetrators located abroad or operating under anonymous identities.

Monitoring social media content

First Lieutenant Aisha called on parents to monitor their children and supervise their use of social media, and to review the content they follow, in order to protect them from cyber risks and behaviors that could lead them astray.

Contacting Juvenile Protection

First Lieutenant Aisha Nasser clarified that the number 147 for the Child Protection Department and 25589535 for receiving all juvenile complaints and reports operate around the clock and serve all nationalities, with all cases handled with precision and confidentiality.