The government of the Kyrgyz Republic and UNICEF, within the framework of Cooperation Program, are working at resolving the problem of protecting children from violence, exploitation, negligence and discrimination in children’s institutions.

Currently in children’s institutions throughout country, there is a big problem of child abuse. There is direct evidence that employees abuse their responsibilities and facts of physical and sexual abuse that have been committed by both employees and among children at these institutions.

UNICEF ordered a sociological survey to study a problem of violence against children in children’s institutions of all types to the “SIAR -Bishkek” agency. From this survey, there were developed recommendations and analysis of a possibility to introduce efficient measures to reveal cases of inadequate treatment of children deprived of parental care and also procedures for the rehabilitation of children who have suffered violence. In addition there was considered a possibility of creating conditions under which children can confidentially ask for assistance to an independent body.

The survey covered children’s institutions in all regions of the country selected according to a number of criteria (type of institution, number of children, date of institution, a percentage of “difficult” children and others). In each selected institution 43 children from the age 5 to 18, 12 representatives of children’s institutions’ administration and 13 employees were interviewed.