The Number of Neglectful Parenting Cases Increased by 66% Within a Year

In May 2020, the Juvenile Police initiated 556 neglectful parenting cases, and in a year, in May 2021, their number increased to 925, that is, by 66%.

For the period from last May to May 2021 inclusive, 10,358 proceedings were opened in Ukraine under Article 184 about Neglectful Parenting involving parents or legal guardians.

March 2021 saw the largest number of filings with 1,237 cases being initiated under Article 184.

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Number of cases initiated under Article 184 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses

Month	May 2020	June	July	August	September	October	November	December	January 2021	February	March	April	May
Number of cases	556	497	547	699	689	816	953	885	687	902	1,237	965	925

Most cases involve child offenders. According to Vasyl Bohdan, Chief of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Office, petty theft (46.2%) and smoking other than in designated smoking areas (20%) are the most common offenses.

Cases initiated under Article 184 involve parents both where they have been negligent towards their children or failed to pay due attention to their upbringing, and where a crime has been committed by or involving a minor.

According to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Office, children aged 14–16 are the most common offenders.

«A large number of such crimes and public order offenses are committed because children are left to themselves during quarantine. This fact is sure to boost the crime wave.

In this case, I believe that the state should step in and assume responsibility rather than keep aloof shifting that responsibility and fines onto parents. In particular, during quarantine and distance learning, when children are on their own while their parents are at work, the state itself is unable to provide for the proper upbringing of children in such conditions»,

— says Rostyslav Kravets, Lawyer and Senior Partner of Kravets & Partners Law Firm.

Until the child reaches the age of majority, his/her parents or legal guardians are responsible for any of his/her actions. They may be required to pay a fine:

• First-time offense: caution or fine of UAH 850–1,700 (between fifty and one hundred minimum non-taxable personal incomes)
• Repeated offense within a year: UAH 1,700— 5,100 (between one hundred and three hundred minimum non-taxable personal incomes)
• Any offense committed by minors aged 14–16: parents must pay a fine of UAH 1,700–5,100 (between one hundred and three hundred minimum non-taxable personal incomes)
• Where the child has committed a criminal offense, and the offender has not reached the age of criminal responsibility: parents must pay a fine of UAH 1,700–5,100 (between one hundred and three hundred minimum non-taxable personal incomes).