War Leaves Children Vulnerable – Experts in Lviv Seek Solutions to Protect Them
January 31, 2025
The war has shattered countless families in Ukraine, depriving thousands of a normal life. Among the most vulnerable are children, many of whom have lost everything —their stability, their homes, their childhood. Without guidance or protection, they become easy targets for exploitation, lured into crime by those who prey on their desperation.
Recognising these challenges, EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine continues to work closely with Ukrainian counterparts to strengthen responses to organised crime, including its impact on children. Last week, EUAM Field Office Lviv, in cooperation with the Lviv Region Council of Advocates, hosted a roundtable discussion with legal experts, law enforcement representatives, and academics on preventing juvenile involvement in organised crime.
Opening the event, EUAM Head of Mission Rolf Holmboe emphasised the importance of addressing the involvement of children in criminal activities orchestrated by organised groups during wartime and its aftermath. He acknowledged the valuable cooperation with key partners, including the Lviv Region Bar Association, Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, leading universities, and law enforcement agencies in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, and reaffirmed EUAM’s commitment to further cooperation.
Several urgent issues took centre stage, particularly the rising number of homeless and orphaned children and the broader impact of war on their vulnerability. Participants examined the factors driving juvenile involvement in crime, the influence of globalisation, and national safeguards to protect children from criminal exploitation.
The debate brought insights from both practitioners and researchers. Professor Lidia Paliukh from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv called for the Criminal Code of Ukraine reforms to align with EU standards, advocating for corrective rather than punitive measures for juvenile offenders.
Meanwhile, Iryna Basysta, Deputy Head of the Educational Security Service Unit of the National Police in Ivano-Frankivsk region, highlighted the crucial role of schools and educators in crime prevention. However, she stressed, no state intervention can replace the influence of a stable family and supportive social environment. Children without these essentials face the highest risk of manipulation by criminal groups.
Participants agreed that closer collaboration between law enforcement, educators, and social services is vital to shield vulnerable children from organised crime.
As Ukraine fights for its future, its children must not become casualties of crime. The war has already taken too much from them—their security, homes, and families. Protecting them is not just a legal necessity but a moral responsibility for every adult in society.
