Protection of children's rights is a priority in the activity of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police of Ukraine. The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko emphasized this during a roundtable held at the Office of the President of Ukraine. During the event, the participants discussed the protection of the rights of children who have suffered from sexual violence and exploitation during the criminal process and the creation of a pilot project of the Juvenile Justice Center.

The purpose of the Center is to make investigations into cases of sexual abuse of children psychologically comfortable for victims.

"Any practices and innovations aimed at improving the protection of children's rights, mechanisms for working with children affected by delinquency should be introduced in our country. NPU units are taking measures to properly organize and investigate sexual crimes committed against children. Because the protection of children's rights is a priority in work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police of Ukraine," said Kateryna Pavlichenko.

The Juvenile Justice Center is a team of specialists consisting of representatives of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, forensic experts, health care, social protection and lawyers who will be present during the interview of the child and make decisions on the process of investigation and provision of socio-psychological family support. The pilot project is scheduled to launch in September 2021.

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs is ready to implement innovations, best international policies and practices aimed at improving the protection of children's rights, as in particular in the model of the Juvenile Justice Center. We support the establishment of such centers in the country and consider it appropriate to extend the project throughout Ukraine," stressed Kateryna Pavlichenko.