site.btaMinister Calls for Legislative Changes and Additional Measures to Prevent Violence Against and by Children

Violence against and by children calls for legislative changes and additional prevention measures, Labour and Social Policy Minister Nataliya Efremova said, as quoted by her Ministry on Tuesday. She opened a meeting of the National Council for Child Protection, recalling that the Government's programme provides for a new National Programme for the Prevention of Violence and Abuse of Children and the adoption of a National Strategy for the Child.

Efremova described recent cases of violence involving children as shocking and said they should concern every institution and member of society. In her view, joint action by the government and non-governmental sector is needed, along with involving children in finding solutions and restoring parents' trust in institutions.

"However many coordination mechanisms we develop, we cannot succeed without parents and children on our side," Efremova said. She said restoring trust in institutions, including social workers and the State Agency for Child Protection, was key to addressing what she called a "pandemic of violence".

"Children have things to tell us and things to teach us so that we can do better when developing policies specifically for them," the minister said, adding that children are important partners because institutional messages can most easily reach their peers through them.

The National Council for Child Protection approved a report on activities and measures carried out under the 2025 Plan implementing the National Programme for the Prevention of Violence and Abuse of Children (2023-2026), as well as a decision to create a new programme for 2027-2030.

The council includes all relevant institutions, local government representatives, the non-governmental sector and the Children's Council with the State Agency for Child Protection.

Proposals discussed by the Children's Council and the chair of the State Agency for Child Protection in mid-August include ensuring that every child has access to a psychologist at least twice a year and providing more opportunities for sports and cultural activities.