Child Safety in Kazakhstan: 5 Crimes Reported Daily, Majority Within Families

Dinara Zakieva, the Commissioner for Children's Rights in Kazakhstan, shared alarming data regarding child safety and protection in an interview with the "24KZ" channel. According to the Ombudsman, an average of five crimes against minors are recorded daily across the country. The most distressing aspect of this data is that 60-70% of these offenses are committed by those closest to the child - specifically parents or household members. Because these incidents occur within the home, early detection and prevention remain significant challenges.

State Oversight and Statistics

Last year, 29,000 parents were held administratively liable for neglecting their children's upbringing. Of these, 1,126 individuals were stripped of their parental rights, and 661 others faced restrictions on those rights.

Following the President's directives, new laws and the establishment of Family Support Centers in various regions have led to a decline in the most serious offenses. For instance, homicide rates involving children fell by 10%, while cases of "grievous bodily harm" dropped by 54%.

Conversely, crimes committed by minors themselves rose by 30% last year. Most of these offenses are related to financial issues or interpersonal conflicts.

The Ombudsman also addressed the issue of school bullying, noting that programs like "DosbolLIKE" and "Adal Azamat" are being implemented to combat this trend. In early 2025, 171 cases of child rights violations were officially recorded, while the "111" helpline received over 124,000 calls. Research conducted by UNICEF suggests that the reality of child rights violations may be far more widespread than official statistics indicate.

To address these systemic issues, the "Children of Kazakhstan" program plans to:

• Improve professional qualifications and implement new work standards for specialists.
• Increase the salaries of psychologists and social workers.
• Strengthen legal and social protection mechanisms for children.