First Lieutenant Abdullah Al-Awadhi, an officer in the Juvenile Protection Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, affirmed that juvenile cases are handled with strict confidentiality. The first lieutenant told Kuwait Radio that the policy forms a core element of the department’s mandate to protect children and support their psychological and social development. In his remarks the officer outlined how the approach prevents long-term stigma while ensuring legal accountability for actions taken before age 18. The first lieutenant added that the department extends its role beyond investigations to include preventive awareness programs and early intervention.
The Juvenile Protection Department conducts inquiries, gathers evidence and implements judicial decisions while coordinating with social welfare institutions under the Ministry of Social Affairs, according to the first lieutenant. Al-Awadhi explained that this framework operates in tandem with other security units for initial reports but reserves specialized handling for the dedicated juvenile unit. The officer noted that such measures align with legal requirements for closed proceedings and restricted access to records. Department operations run around the clock to address emerging risks promptly.
Al-Awadhi defined a juvenile as any male or female below 18 years of age and encouraged the public to use the department’s hotline, 25589535, for reports or inquiries at any time. The first lieutenant highlighted coordination with the Cybercrime Department when cases involve digital devices or online platforms. Procedures ensure technical analysis precedes referral to competent authorities, he added. This integrated response has contributed to more effective case management over recent months.
Department figures show a decline in juvenile cases compared with 2025, Colonel Khalid Al-Hashash, Assistant Director of the Juvenile Protection Department, reported in a separate briefing the same day. The Juvenile Protection Department handled 206 complaints this year along with 76 misdemeanors and 25 felonies, according to Colonel Al-Hashash. The official identified cyber extortion, cyberbullying, school violence, traffic violations and substance use as primary concerns requiring coordinated action among security agencies, families and state bodies. Early intervention differs markedly from later-stage responses, Colonel Al-Hashash stated.
In cases of exploitation by adults or older juveniles the minor is treated as a victim and the perpetrator faces charges under either the Juvenile Law or the Child Rights Law, the department’s assessment found. Placement of an affected juvenile prioritizes trusted family members in a fixed order beginning with parents then grandparents and aunts or uncles before considering care facilities managed with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Colonel Al-Hashash emphasized that suitable family environments remain the preferred option whenever available. Such protocols reinforce the rehabilitative focus embedded in Kuwaiti juvenile procedures.
Kuwait’s Juvenile Law mandates closed sessions separate from adult courts and prohibits publication of any identifying information about minors, a legal overview from the Public Authority for Social Affairs confirms. Records receive strict confidentiality with access limited to authorized personnel and judicial approval, the same framework indicates. Convictions do not carry forward as adult criminal precedents once the individual reaches maturity, allowing a clean start after demonstrated good conduct. The first lieutenant described these safeguards as essential to the department’s mission of balancing accountability with future opportunity.
