“The events in Kėdainiai district painfully reminded us of what we should not forget for a single day: there is and can be no justification for sexual violence. None. Neither in institutions, nor in families, nor in communities. And especially where we must protect children.
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Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment. Every young person has the right to be protected from any form of violence. Therefore, all institutions working with children and youth must have zero tolerance for any manifestations of violence. Not on paper, not in declarations, but in daily practice.
If violence occurs or there are suspicions of it, the reaction must be immediate, clear, and strict. The responsibility for ensuring a safe environment lies not only with each employee but primarily with the heads of institutions. Silence, delay, or attempts to protect the organization’s reputation cannot be more important than human dignity and safety,” Ruginienė stated.
According to her, on Monday, together with responsible institutions, it will be discussed what “additional steps we need to take to better protect minors from possible sexual violence.”
“We must act immediately, without waiting for new painful cases.
No victim should be left alone with their fear and pain. And no institution has the right to turn away. We must speak loudly about violence, react immediately to every signal, and do everything to ensure that silence never becomes an ally of abusers,” the minister stated.
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We remind you that on Wednesday, LRT “Panorama” reported that the Gruzdžiai Children’s Socialization Center has launched an internal investigation into a possible harassment incident. Law enforcement is also clarifying the circumstances.
As stated by the national broadcaster, the police were informed about the incident by the father of the possibly affected 14-year-old, after his daughter wrote him an email during a lesson.
The socialization center’s attendant, who allegedly harassed, has been suspended from duty.
Modesta Petrauskaitė, Chairwoman of the Seimas Commission for Suicide and Violence Prevention, told LRT that the employee was suspended “only two months” after the incident was reported.
The Gruzdžiai Children’s Socialization Center is a specialized institution assigned to general education schools for students with difficult behavior who have been assigned a moderate supervision or educational impact measure.
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