Prime minister calls for review of youth violence prevention system

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has initiated a systemic review of youth violence prevention following repeated incidents, including a recent case in Marijampolė where a teenage girl was beaten by peers in Poezijos Park, reports BNS.

The attack, filmed and later shared on social media, has prompted the government to task the Ministry of Social Security and Labour with assessing the situation. In cooperation with relevant institutions, the ministry must propose concrete measures to address the issue.

Sinkevičius emphasised that while such cases should not lead to unfair generalisations or demonisation of young people, the recurring violence signals a problem that requires systemic solutions. He highlighted the need for institutions to identify gaps in support for parents, schools, and specialists working with children and adolescents, as well as to improve early detection of behavioural issues before they escalate.

The prime minister also noted the challenge of violent images involving minors circulating online, which can cause repeated harm to victims. The review will examine the broader system, including child welfare, education, health, law enforcement, and municipal services, to ensure a comprehensive response.

A pre-trial investigation into the Marijampolė incident is ongoing. Earlier this year, similar violent incidents were reported in Marijampolė’s Sūduvos Gymnasium, where a student injured three peers with a knife, and in Vilnius’s Simono Daukanto Progymnasium, where a student threatened classmates with a knife.