Supreme Court judge attends opening of Child Protection Centre (based on Barnahus model) in Lviv region

Children are our future. Justice for minors in conflict with the law or victims of violence requires special attention.

This was emphasised by Judge of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court Olha Buleiko during a press conference "Implementation of the Barnahus Model for the Protection of Children Victims of Violence in Lviv Region" with the participation of international organisations in Ukraine, representatives of state and local authorities, and human rights organisations. The press conference was held as part of the opening of the Child Protection Centre (based on the Barnabas model) in the Lviv region.

Olha Buleiko reminded that, according to Article 18 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges”, only judges with a certain length of service, experience in conducting criminal proceedings in court and high moral, business and professional qualities can conduct criminal proceedings against minors. Aware of this, the Supreme Court is actively involved in the training of judges. The practice of applying the legislation regulating the issues of bringing minors to criminal responsibility, exemption from punishment, procedural rights and obligations in criminal proceedings of minors and juveniles is brought to the attention of local court judges during events and on the official communication resources of the Supreme Court.   

The judge also thanked international partners, in particular the UNICEF Office in Ukraine and experts from Iceland, for their support and exchange of experience in building a network of institutions that help child victims of violence and children in need of state attention.

The local self-government authorities of Lviv region have made significant efforts to open the Barnahus Child Protection Centre in Lviv region. The adults' concerns about the fate of children affected by violence, including the terror of the aggressor country, give hope for a better future and serve as an example to follow.

We would like to remind you that the piloting of the project “Implementation of the Barnahus Model for the Protection of Children Victims of Violence”, implemented by the Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health and funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine, is supported by the Interagency Coordination Council on Juvenile Justice.