MIA and UNICEF Introduce New Justice Standards to Protect Children from Violence

KARAGANDA, Kazakhstan, 21 May 2026 – Today, 20 investigators from across Kazakhstan began implementing an updated child protection programme for children affected by violence. They completed a specialised master training course at the B. Beisenov Karaganda Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). The investigators will now apply modern international approaches for protecting children in their day-to-day investigative work across the country.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, in partnership with UNICEF and with support from the global ‘Safe Online’ fund, developed the programme to strengthen investigations into crimes involving violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse against children. The programme places children's rights, safety, and best interests at the centre of every stage of the justice process.

The programme introduces child-centred and trauma-informed approaches that help reduce the risk of re-traumatisation during investigations. Kazakhstan has now integrated the 40-hour training course into its national professional development system. The course forms part of both in-service training for serving officers and the curriculum for cadets at MIA academies.

Participants who have already started applying the new methods in their regions highlighted their practical value.

"This training introduced us to the trauma-informed approach, which provides long-term benefits, particularly for children facing difficult circumstances. When we use these methods, children experience less stress. This is critically important both for their psychological recovery and for the overall effectiveness of our work," 

said Aman S.M., Police Major Aman S.M., Deputy Head of the Zhanaarka District Police Department.

Lt. Colonel Sh.B. Kassimova, and investigator for the West Kazakhstan Regional Police Department., emphasized the initiative’s broader importance:

"Today, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and UNICEF are introducing new justice approaches to protect children from violence. These approaches provide us with clear tools that reflect international best practice and enable us to support children professionally throughout the investigation process while placing their interests first."

The programme responds to the growing need to strengthen law enforcement capacities as threats to children become increasingly hidden and technologically complex. These threats include online grooming and the distribution of harmful and illegal content.

The master trainer initiative enabled the programme to expand nationwide. MIA academy instructors who received training in advanced international standards are already passing on their knowledge and skills to investigators who work directly on these cases. Their key objective is to minimize the risk of re-traumatisation and ensure that every child receives professional, sensitive, and child-centred support throughout the justice process.

"In cases involving violence against children, it is essential not only to investigate crimes effectively but also to ensure that every stage of the justice process is safe for the child and approached with child-centric sensitivity," said Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan. "UNICEF supports approaches that help professionals take into account the age, needs, and psychological condition of child victims. Strengthening investigators’ professional competencies is an important step towards ensuring that children are heard, protected, and not subjected to further trauma."

During the training, investigators studied internationally recognized approaches to working with children within the justice system. The programme covered trauma-informed communication and structured interviewing techniques based on the NICHD Protocol developed by the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

By applying these methods in practice, investigators can obtain accurate and reliable information without pressuring children while fully considering their age, condition, and individual needs. The programme also emphasised handling digital evidence and materials obtained from online platforms.

With support from the global ‘Safe Online’ fund, Kazakhstan is introducing approaches that strengthen protection against child exploitation in the digital environment and draw on international best practices