Addressing Crimes Against Minors and Promoting Inclusive Education in Kazakhstan
Disturbing Numbers Unveiled
Crimes against minors, such as human trafficking and drug-related offenses, are a pressing concern in Kazakhstan. Although specific data on crimes against minors is not extensive, the country has been taking action to address broader issues through various initiatives. One such initiative is the "Probilim: Inclusion and Law" project, which aims to promote legal awareness and inclusion.
Context of Crimes Against Minors:
- Human Trafficking: Kazakhstan reported 134 human trafficking cases in the first half of 2025, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and protection measures for vulnerable populations, including minors.
- Domestic Violence and Drug Issues: While domestic violence has decreased, and drug-related offenses are being aggressively addressed, the safety of minors remains a priority. Efforts to combat these issues indirectly support creating a safer environment for children.
Stakeholder Initiatives:
- Schools:
- Schools play a crucial role in educating children about their rights and the dangers of human trafficking and drug use. Programs like "Probilim: Inclusion and Law" can help integrate legal awareness into school curricula, empowering students with knowledge about their rights and how to protect themselves.
- Families:
- Families are critical in raising awareness about safety and providing emotional support to children. Community engagement programs can help families understand the importance of protecting their children and reporting suspicious activities.
- Law Enforcement:
- Law enforcement agencies have been active in combating organized crime, including human trafficking networks. Over 11,000 anti-drug operations were conducted, indicating a proactive stance against crimes that could impact minors.
- Strengthened legislation and increased penalties for crimes against minors can deter potential offenders.
- Social Services:
- Social services have been enhanced to support victims of trafficking. Since 2002, assistance has been provided to nearly 2,000 victims of labor and sexual exploitation. Collaboration with international organizations like the IOM has helped strengthen support mechanisms for victims, which can include minors.
Future Directions:
- Policy Enhancements: Continued legal reforms are necessary to ensure that penalties for crimes against minors are severe enough to serve as a deterrent.
- Community Engagement: Ongoing community programs and awareness campaigns can help foster a safer environment by engaging both families and schools in the prevention and reporting of crimes against minors.
- International Cooperation: Collaboration with international organizations can provide valuable expertise and resources to combat transnational crimes that affect minors.
"Probilim: Inclusion and Law" Project
Though specific details about the "Probilim: Inclusion and Law" project are not provided, such initiatives typically focus on promoting legal awareness and inclusion among vulnerable groups, including minors. These projects can be instrumental in creating a safer educational environment by empowering minors with legal knowledge and encouraging community involvement in crime prevention.
- The initiation and launch of a new republican project on educational programs "Probilim: inclusion and law" were highlighted as highly relevant.
- Eserbergen Aлауhanov, a Meritorious figure of Kazakhstan, delivered a speech at the session.
- In inclusive education settings, over 77,000 children with special educational needs are being educated across preschool, secondary, and special schools.
- The successful implementation of the projects and methods proposed at the session requires not only the professional training of teachers but also the support of parents, school administration, and the state as a whole.
Marzia ASYLBEKOVA, a candidate of pedagogical sciences, professor, and head of the higher education school pedagogy department at L.N. Gumilev ENU, spoke about the formation of an inclusive and comfortable educational environment. She emphasized the importance of a teacher knowing the peculiarities of teaching children with special educational needs in an inclusive environment, effective assessment approaches, and the ability to identify barriers in learning and find ways to overcome them. However, she did not address any specific increase or decrease in crimes against minors or teenagers.
The topic of discussion was the "Law and Order" and "Inclusive Education" concepts. The speaker emphasized the need for urgent consolidation of efforts by schools, families, law enforcement, and social services to create a safe environment and identify risk factors early. However, it appears that the speaker did not discuss the need for urgent consolidation of efforts by these stakeholders.
Inclusive education settings in Kazakhstan boast 492 special educational institutions, including 104 psycho-medico-pedagogical consultations, 218 psycho-pedagogical correction cabinets, 99 special schools, 48 special kindergartens, 13 rehabilitation centers, and 10 autism centers. More than 2,400 teacher-assistants are supporting these children in inclusive education settings.
From January to April 2025, 771 crimes were committed by teenagers, including 376 serious ones and 24 particularly serious ones. More than 50% of teenagers who committed offenses were neither studying nor working. Half of all crimes against children are crimes against their person, including sexual ones, with a 61% increase. These statistics underscore the need for continued efforts to protect minors and create a safer environment for children in Kazakhstan.
- In the context of education-and-self-development, the "Probilim: Inclusion and Law" project aims to promote legal awareness and inclusion, particularly among minors, as part of a broader effort to create a safer educational environment.
- Personal growth and general news coincide as the initiative targets minors, with a focus on empowering them with legal knowledge to protect themselves against crimes such as human trafficking and drug use.
- Efforts to combat crimes against minors, such as those mentioned in the "Stakeholder Initiatives" section, align with the learning aspect as they educate the public about the dangers of such crimes and the importance of reporting suspicious activities, ultimately contributing to a safer environment for children in Kazakhstan.
