Parents’ negligence as another blow to childhood during the war: a woman with five children lived in a hack (video)
Children today are the most vulnerable group during war. They suffer not only from explosions, destroyed homes and the loss of relatives, but also from the consequences of indifference and irresponsibility of adults. In conditions when parents, due to difficult circumstances or their own negligence, cannot provide children with elementary comfort, the issue of child protection becomes even more acute. One such story shook Ternopil: a woman with five children lived in a shantytown in a forest plantation, having neither a stable income nor adequate living conditions.
This story became not only an alarming signal about the condition of children in times of war, but also raised questions about how the state and society react to such cases.
How the children lived in the khalabuda
Five children lived with their mother in a forest plantation in Ternopil, in Halabuda. This situation became known thanks to concerned citizens who contacted the police. People reported that children often come to one of the Ternopil hotels asking for food and warmth. A mobile brigade, which included employees of the Children’s Affairs Service, patrol police and social workers, immediately went to the scene. They found the family in a shack standing in a wooded area.
Head of the city department of youth policy and child protection, Khrystyna Bilinska told, that a mother lived in the tent with five children aged 4 to 9, as well as her roommate. Living conditions were dangerous for children: lack of basic heat, unsanitary conditions and lack of food posed a real threat to their health.
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Medical assistance
An ambulance team also went to the scene. According to Hanna Monchak, the medical director of the Center for Emergency Medical Care, the physical condition of the children did not cause concern. However, due to dangerous social and domestic conditions, they were decided to be hospitalized in the regional children’s hospital.
Acting General Director of the regional children’s hospital Alla Filyuk reported that the children were examined, washed and changed. After that, they were handed over to social services for further placement in a safe environment.
Further actions of social services
Social services decided to temporarily remove the children from the family and place them in the Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children. As Khrystyna Bilinska explained, this institution deals with the rehabilitation of children who have found themselves in difficult life circumstances. In the center, children will receive the necessary care, psychological support and comfortable living conditions.
At the same time, social workers began working with the mother, trying to help her create safe conditions for the children’s return to the family. The main goal is to ensure that the mother is able to fulfill her parental responsibilities and that the children live in a safe environment.
What is known about the family
The family came to Ternopil from the city of Dubno, Rivne region. Social services check whether this family was registered with the child protection authorities at the place of previous residence. It is also found out whether the children attended school or kindergarten before the move.
Neighbors who also live in the forest plantation said that a woman with children had recently moved in next to them. One of the residents, Ivan, said that he himself lives in a shantytown with his mother, brothers and sisters. Together, eight people live in their tent, including children.
“We go to scrap metal to earn at least a little money for food. We don’t drink alcohol, but we smoke a little. It is impossible to rent an apartment – no one wants to take such a large number of people, and there is not enough money for it.” Ivan said.
Photo: suspilne.media
Mother’s responsibility
The protocol has not yet been drawn up against the children’s mother. However, as the head of the public relations department of the patrol police of the region, Olesya Myalkovska, noted, her responsibility for improper performance of parental duties is provided for by law.
Social services emphasize that in such cases their priority is to protect the children, not to punish the parents. However, if the mother does not create safe conditions for the children’s life, she may be deprived of parental rights.
This story caused a wide public outcry. Many people called for increased control over the living conditions of children in crisis families. At the same time, others drew attention to the fact that the problems of such families often go unnoticed until the moment when the situation becomes critical.
