Police officers of Chernihiv region learn to protect children from domestic violence

Representative of the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights Iryna Biryuk conducted a training on the topic: “Identification and response to cases of domestic violence against a child” for inspectors of the Educational Security Service of the Main Department of National Police in Chernihiv region.

In 2024, 195,174 cases of domestic violence were recorded in Ukraine, of which 6,545 were from children. In Chernihiv region – 8,175, and 24 minors are on preventive registration.

The law recognizes witnesses of domestic violence among children as the same victims as those who were directly affected. Therefore, when recording a crime, they must be recorded in the protocol and involved in receiving assistance.

The training participants, in particular, considered:

– forms of violence: physical, psychological, economic, sexual;

– the impact of violence on the mental, emotional, cognitive health of the child;

– the cycle of violence according to the Leonora Walker model: from tension to explosion and “honeymoon”;

– the difference between conflict and domestic violence: violence is not a quarrel, it is a violation of human rights;

– mechanisms for urgent protection of victims, including children;

– the powers of the police, educators, doctors, children’s services and local government agencies in responding.

The training helped to raise the awareness of inspectors on the protection of children’s rights, improve their skills in recording and responding to cases of domestic violence within the framework of their professional activities.

The event was held with the support of the international charitable platform GlobalGiving in cooperation with the Public Organization “Legal Development Network”.