Perspectives on Child Maltreatment in Kyrgyzstan Among Public Health, Social Work, Education, and Criminal Justice System Professionals

Background and Purpose: Children in Kyrgyzstan face a high risk of child maltreatment, such as physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, with 73% of children experiencing a combination of neglect and abuse. This study examines these risks from the perspectives of professionals across the social welfare, education, and criminal justice sectors. Given the widespread nature of child abuse in Kyrgyzstan, understanding risk factors and professional responses is essential for informing policy and intervention strategies.

Methods: The study recruited a purposive sample of 83 professionals working directly with children and their families from the social welfare, criminal justice, education, and health sectors. The professionals came from government and non-government sectors and were involved in organizations that provide services throughout the country. Grounded theory methods were employed to understand the nature, perpetuating factors, and consequences of child abuse from the perspective of the professionals.

Results: The findings reveal four major themes: 1) the nature of child maltreatment, 2) risk factors for child maltreatment, 3) challenges of the child welfare system, and 4) barriers to prevention and response. The results show that children in Kyrgyzstan face a high risk of abuse because of a lack of knowledge among parents about healthy child-rearing practices, norms promoting acceptance of corporal punishment, the stigma of sexual abuse, a lack of understanding of the psychological consequences of trauma and neglect, and a lack of integrated services among providers. An important risk factor for child maltreatment is the socioeconomic condition of the families. Families facing the stresses of poverty, unemployment, and migration often leave their children under the care of relatives who are likely to neglect or abuse them. Parents’ mental health status, alcohol abuse, the widespread neglect of children in institutions such as orphanages and foster care, and a lack of government accountability have contributed to higher levels of child maltreatment. The study found that the perception of corruption in the criminal justice system is a major barrier to help-seeking. By failing to carry out their roles with integrity, Kyrgyz criminal justice and social service employees hindered the protection of children.

Conclusions: The study shows that risk factors for child maltreatment are widespread in Kyrgyz society, and each factor can have compounding deleterious effects. These findings highlight the need for deep social change, expanded institutional responses, and intensified prevention efforts at all levels of society. The results suggest that unless the government and social institutions prioritize child welfare and work to disrupt the status quo, interrupting the intergenerational perpetuation of violence, Kyrgyz children will continue to experience widespread maltreatment. The government should focus on prevention through parent education, raising awareness, and institutionalizing systems of positive behavioral interventions and supports. Insights about the risk factors and barriers to prevention and response for child maltreatment in Kyrgyzstan are relevant for international comparative research and practice among populations with similar cultural characteristics.