Alleged sexual abuse at children’s socialization center reported by victim’s father

A parliamentary committee has visited a children’s socialization center in the Kėdainiai district following reports of alleged sexual abuse, with the incident brought to police attention by the father of a 14-year-old girl, LRT reports.

According to Modesta Petrauskaitė, chair of the Seimas Suicide and Violence Prevention Commission, staff at the Gruzdžiai center failed to follow proper procedures. The girl reportedly told employees that a staff member had sexually abused her, but they only documented the complaint and questioned her the next day with a psychologist present before informing her guardian and the orphanage.

The girl later sent an email to her father during a class, prompting him to report the incident to police. Henrikas Gaidamavičius, director of the Gruzdžiai center, admitted he was on leave at the time but confirmed that protocols for such situations were in place. He suggested staff may have lacked competence in handling the case.

“The explanation that this is a lie, that such lies don’t exist—that’s unacceptable coming from a professional,” said Kristina Mišinienė, head of the center for combating human trafficking and exploitation. “A child can only confide in the staff of such an institution. Imagine the situation.”

Alina Jakavonienė, the children’s rights protection controller, identified systemic issues, stating: “There is an obvious lack of services directly oriented toward the child, as well as a lack of clear action algorithms and standards in the institution to ensure a safe environment for the child.”

The suspected abuser has been suspended. The center, the only one of its kind in Lithuania, houses adolescents who have committed crimes or engaged in other harmful behavior. Agnė Bilotaitė, a member of the Seimas TS-LKD faction, criticized the lack of attention and humanity toward the child, suggesting the center’s oversight should be transferred to another ministry better equipped to manage it.

Deputy Education Minister Jonas Petkevičius acknowledged the need for an audit and additional staff training, noting that the center’s primary focus is social rather than educational support. Discussions are underway with the Ministry of Social Security and Labor and the Ministry of Health about which institution should oversee the facility.

The girl’s father’s lawyer told LRT that police only launched a pre-trial investigation after complaints to prosecutors, despite two prior refusals to act. Police have declined to comment, referring inquiries to prosecutors.