Antisocial behaviour rises among young women, ESRI report finds

A new ESRI report shows antisocial behaviour among young females has increased, while rates for young males have stayed largely unchanged.

The study defines antisocial behaviour as actions that breach social norms and may involve criminal elements, ranging from not paying bus fares to violent offences such as hitting or car robbery.

Psychologist Katriona O’Sullivan told The Claire Byrne Show that the rise for girls is linked to anxiety and broader mental‑health difficulties, with the proportion of young women displaying such behaviour climbing from 10 % to 16 %.

O’Sullivan highlighted cuts to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and limited access to mental‑health support as key concerns, especially for girls.

She noted that while the legal system is not required for every incident, the issue should not be ignored. Evidence from a London study suggests that increasing youth clubs, rather than heightened policing, more effectively reduces youth crime.

Calls for renewed funding

The report recommends restoring funding for youth programmes and mental‑health services to curb the upward trend in antisocial behaviour among young females.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: mali maeder / Pexels.