National Social Service to inspect all institutions after incident of violence against children in Lviv training and rehabilitation center
The Minister of Social Policy, Oksana Zholnovich, decided to strengthen control over the observance of the rights of children living in specialized institutions. After a high-profile case in Lviv region, when shocking reports of violence against children in an educational rehabilitation center appeared, she instructed the National Social Service Service (National Social Service) to organize a large-scale inspection of all institutions where children stay 24 hours a day. This was a direct response to the outcry that arose in society after the publicity about possible abuses in institutions designed to ensure children’s safety and proper care. About Zholnovich told on your Facebook page.
Zholnovich shared this information through her Facebook, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and expressing her indignation at the complaints received. She called reports of possible violence in one of the schools in Lviv region “shocking” and called for a full and impartial investigation of the incident so that all those involved in the violation of children’s rights are brought to justice.
The minister emphasized the importance of systematic control over the living conditions of children in such institutions, noting that after this case, the National Social Service will conduct a detailed inspection of all institutions where children stay on a permanent basis. This involves the use of a specially developed questionnaire that will help identify possible violations in an “ecological” way, that is, so as not to injure children. Specialists will try to avoid additional psychological pressure on minors in order to ensure the most comfortable conditions for conducting interviews and inspections.
In addition, Zholnovich drew attention to the importance of creating conditions so that children with special educational needs can receive education near their homes and return to their families every day. According to her, this is the best approach to raising children, and it should become a priority for communities. She called for an increase in the number of family forms of education in communities, as well as for the development of inclusive and specialized classes in secondary schools, which are close to children’s homes. This will not only contribute to better integration of children into society, but will also help them avoid possible stress and psychological trauma associated with a long stay in closed institutions.
The context of this initiative became loud scandal, about which IA “FAKT” wrote earlier. It broke out after the statement of Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. According to him, numerous cases of physical, psychological and even sexual violence against children took place in one of the educational and rehabilitation centers in the Lviv region. Lubinets noted that the children repeatedly appealed to the law enforcement officers, the local service for children’s affairs, and the Department of Education with relevant complaints, but, unfortunately, they did not receive any response. On the contrary, according to the official, the director of this institution brutally beat the children with sticks and humiliated those who dared to express complaints or tried to tell about cases of violence. This behavior caused huge public indignation and led to the opening of a criminal case.
The police have already opened criminal proceedings under Part 3 of Article 153 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which deals with sexual violence against minors. Immediately after that, it became known that the head of the institution was suspended from his duties for the duration of the investigation. The head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, confirmed that the authorities are already taking measures to ensure an impartial investigation, and assured the public that they are ready to bring all the culprits to justice.
This situation once again emphasizes the vulnerability of children in specialized institutions, as well as the need for increased supervision and control of their situation. Such institutions should be a place where children are cared for, protected and supported, and not victims of cruelty or abuse. The systematic checks initiated by the Ministry of Social Policy should be the first step to rectify the situation and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.
In general, this incident became a signal for the entire system of protection of children’s rights in Ukraine. The public demands more decisive actions from the authorities, and the Ministry of Social Policy responds to this request by trying to implement more transparent and effective control mechanisms. This includes not only inspections of existing institutions, but also the creation of conditions for children to be able to remain with families or in conditions as close to family as possible. The development of inclusive education and family forms of upbringing will become a priority for state policy in this area, so that children can develop in a safe environment protected from any form of violence or abuse.
