In Kazakhstan, large-scale projects are actively being implemented to protect children from violence and crime, reports the Prosecutor General's Office.
According to statements by Prosecutor General Berik Asylov, two key initiatives have been in place in the country since 2023 – “URPAQ” and “Happy and Safe Childhood”.
As part of these projects, prosecutors carried out extensive work, visiting over 63,000 families from at-risk groups. Following the inspections, the Prosecutor General's Office initiated 93 pre-trial investigations against guardians and parents, and 11,000 legal representatives were held administratively liable for failing to fulfil their duties. 342 children were placed under state care due to extreme necessity.
However, the department's work is not limited to punitive measures. Over 13,000 families received various types of support: financial, housing, medical, and social assistance. Additionally, alimony payments worth 4.5 billion tenge were recovered on behalf of children.
The Prosecutor General's Office pays particular attention to combating bullying and extortion in educational institutions. To this end, special chatbots in Telegram have been created and QR codes placed in public places. Since the launch, 1,809 reports of inappropriate behaviour have been received, resulting in 192 people being held administratively liable, and 1,617 receiving preventive talks.
“Every child in Kazakhstan should feel safe. We are doing everything to protect their rights and create conditions for a happy childhood”, emphasised Berik Asylov.
Unfortunately, instances of violence against children in Kazakhstan are still regularly recorded, not only in families but also in educational institutions. Cases of mistreatment of children in preschool organisations and centres for children with special needs are particularly concerning.
For example, in April last year, a specialised court for administrative offences in Kostanay fined a kindergarten teacher for assaulting two children.
In August, a video appeared online showing a man at the Kostanay Children's Centre for Special Social Services using kicks and a stick to force a child to move on a treadmill. The Department for Coordination of Employment and Social Services reported that necessary measures had been taken and those responsible had been held accountable.
In October, details emerged of violence at the Pavlodar Regional Children's Psychoneurological Centre, where a caregiver beat children with disabilities. The instances of abuse were identified thanks to footage from surveillance cameras.
In November, two students of the “Parasat” College in Shymkent accused the deputy director for educational work, physical education teachers, and senior students of assault. One of the victims was hospitalised with a concussion.
In January of this year, a video appeared online from a private kindergarten in Ekibastuz, showing a woman covering a child's head with a blanket and striking them several times. The child was under two years old.