Reacting to a notification on possible violation of child’s rights

The Service and (or) the Territorial Child Rights Protection Division must react to each received notification on a possible violation of child’s rights. 

Based on article 36 of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Fundamentals of Protection of the Rights of the Child, the Service and (or) the Territorial Child Rights Protection Division, having received a verbal, written notification or a notification submitted by other remote communication means on a possible violation of child’s rights, must as soon as possible, but no later than within 3 business days from the day of reception of notification, begin the investigation of the notification. However, if the notification concerns a possible violence against the child, which possibly put the child’s safety, health, life in dance or if it concerns the child’s presence in an unsafe environment, the Service and (or) the Territorial Child Rights Protection Division must begin the investigation of the notification no later than within 6 hours, and if the notification is transferred by the police, by telephone, they must begin it within 1 hour from the moment of reception of the notification.

Having received a notification on a possible violation of the child’s rights, The Service and (or) the Territorial Child Rights Protection Division: 
- visits the child’s place of residence; 
- meets with the child and questions them about the circumstances related with the notification (except for the cases, when the child, due to their age, health condition, current state, is unable to express their opinion); 
- if it is suspected that the child has experienced violence, if the child has special needs, developmental and (or) other disorders, if necessary, they may be questioned by a psychologist; 
- if necessary, assesses the child’s place of residence and (or) their social environment and the child’s relationship with their parents or other legal representatives; 
- meets with the child’s legal representatives and questions them concerning the circumstances related with the notification; 
- must notify the police or another subject organizing the preliminary investigation on the possible criminal offence committed against the child (no later than within 24 hours). 

The Service of the Territorial Child Rights Protection Division, having performed the aforementioned actions, shall perform the assessment of the child’s situation. Having performed the assessment of the child’s situation, a necessity may be established to assess the need for the assistance provided to the child and (or) the family, or the need for the protection of the child may be established, or the necessity to assess the need for assistance provided to the child and (or) the family or the need for the protection of the child may not be established.