According to the Law of Ukraine "On the Protection of Childhood", a child who has suffered as a result of hostilities and armed conflicts is a child who, as a result of hostilities or armed conflict, has been injured, contused, mutilated, subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence, has been abducted or illegally taken out of Ukraine, has been involved in military formations, or has been illegally held, including in captivity.
Who is eligible to receive the status:
A child or person who, during hostilities, armed conflicts, or armed aggression of the Russian Federation, has not reached the age of 18 and as a result:
- received a contusion, injury, injury;
- suffered physical, psychological, sexual violence;
- was stolen or illegally exported from Ukraine;
- was involved in military formations;
- was illegally detained, including in captivity.
Where to contact:
The status is granted by the guardianship and trusteeship authority:
- at the place of actual residence or stay of the child as an internally displaced person;
- at the place of application;
- at the place of discovery of such a child by local executive authorities or local self-government bodies.
Who can apply for the status:
- parents, adoptive parents;
- personally a child (from 14 years old);
- representative of the guardianship and trusteeship authority;
- the child's relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult brothers or sisters, stepfathers, stepmothers).
To obtain the status of a child who has suffered as a result of hostilities and armed conflicts, the following documents are required:
- application for granting status, consent to the processing of personal data;
- the child's birth certificate or other document proving the child's identity;
- a document proving the applicant's identity;
- a document confirming the authority of the child's legal representative (adoptive parent, guardian);
- certificate of registration of the child as an internally displaced person (if available);
- passport of a citizen of Ukraine in the form of a booklet (if available);
- ID or foreign passport (if available);
- extract from the register of the territorial community (if available).
Importantly!
- If the child has been injured, contused or mutilated, it is additionally necessary to attach an extract from the child's medical record or a specialist's consultation report issued after the child's medical examination and treatment, indicating the diagnosis according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, obtained during the period of hostilities or armed conflicts.
- If the child has been subjected to physical or sexual violence, has been abducted or illegally taken out of Ukraine, has been involved in the actions of paramilitary or armed groups, has been illegally held (in particular, in captivity), it is additionally necessary to attach a statement about the commission of a criminal offense against the child or about the involvement of the child in the proceedings as a victim, an extract from the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations on the initiation of criminal proceedings (regardless of the results of the pre-trial investigation) and an expert's conclusion based on the results of the forensic examination (if available).
- If the child has been subjected to psychological violence, it is additionally necessary to provide a conclusion of the assessment of the family's needs for social services, a copy of the certificate with the inscription "Certificate of a family member of the deceased" and a copy of the death certificate and a document confirming the death of the person as a result of hostilities and armed conflicts, or a copy of the document confirming the death of the person under the above circumstances, in the event of the death of the child's parents or one of them from among civilians.
The decision to grant or refuse to grant the status is made by the guardianship and trusteeship body on the basis of documents within 30 calendar days from the date of registration of the application for granting the status.
At the same time, the most important unresolved issue remains proper social protection and support for affected children. According to the legislation, the status of a child affected by hostilities and armed conflicts currently does not provide for any benefits or compensation, except for free meals in educational institutions.
To receive free qualified legal assistance, we recommend contacting the Chuguiv local center for providing legal assistance. We are located at: Chuguiv, Staronikolska St., 27A, tel.: (05746) 40-127.