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The author is Tauirbek Bozekenov. The interview with Irene van der Zande was translated into Kazakh by Nazym Kairat. This article was prepared within the framework of the Solutions Journalism Lab II project in the solutions journalism genre and reflects the author’s personal views.

If you would like to see the original article in Kazakh, here is the link to one of the official web portals of Kazakhstan for this kind of publication:
https://qaz.ulysmedia.kz/saraptama/31900-unsizdik-sheshim-emes-balalardy-zorlau-isteri-nege-sotka-zhetpei-zhabylady/

In Kazakhstan, violence against children is a deeply pressing issue. In recent times, it has become a frequent topic on social media and in the mainstream press. What happens to the lives of children who have suffered abuse? What social and economic harm does such violence inflict on society? How are cases of sexual violence investigated? In this piece, we seek answers to these and other questions.

“They Reopened the Case Only After Public Outcry”

Last year, 18-year-old Erkenaz spoke out on social media, revealing that her stepbrother had raped her when she was a child. Following her disclosure, the number of girls writing to her via direct messages surged sharply. Many shared stories of abuse that had occurred in their own regions, while others recounted their personal traumas and pleaded for help.

“There are girls like me who are unmarried. They never tell anyone. Every day, thousands of people suffer abuse—at home, in schools, even in the workplace. But most remain silent. They feel ashamed, afraid. They wonder, ‘Will anyone even believe me?’,” she said.

Erkenaz, 18 years old

Before turning to the media, Erkenaz had filed multiple complaints with the police. However, the case was closed several times.

“The case was closed four or five times. They said, ‘Some information in the case file is incorrect.’ Still, no one listened to me. It’s been over two years now. During the investigation, all sorts of things happened. They don’t review it properly, they don’t investigate properly. They treat you as if you’re not even a person. They completely ignore our side, while their attitude toward the other side is completely different. I can’t say anything for sure because I have no solid proof, but deep down I feel something is wrong. Only after I went public and made noise did they reopen the case. At first, I didn’t even know a criminal case had been opened—I found out from the news. They never informed us,” she said.

Currently, three lawyers are working on Erkenaz’s case. One of them, Gulayim Sakenkyzy, said the case, which has been under investigation for two years, had been closed multiple times due to “insufficient evidence.” According to the defense, the victim was subjected to sexual abuse from the age of six until she was fifteen. Even though she stated she was abused daily, the initial forensic examination concluded that her “hymen was intact” and found no signs of sexual violence. However, the lawyers argue that the abuse may have been committed through alternative means.

“In Almaty, a proctologist with 40 years of experience conducted a full examination of the victim and found significant changes in Erkenaz’s intestinal structure. The enlargement of the rectum and the formation of a pouch are indicators of prolonged physical abuse. Despite these findings, experts in Astana stated, ‘No abnormalities are currently observed’ and closed the case again,” said lawyer Gulayim Sakenkyzy.

The investigation was only revived after the issue gained media attention. Investigators visited the crime scene, conducted inspections, and ordered additional forensic examinations. A psychologist found signs of severe emotional trauma in the victim.

“Investigators Said, ‘The Hymen Is Intact’ – and Closed the Case”

Lazzat Rakysheva, a lawyer and coordinator of the “One-Stop Service” project at the Human Rights Lawyers public foundation, named one of the most dangerous forms of violence against children. According to her, suspects have mastered various ways to evade punishment. One of the most common tactics is to commit sexual acts without breaking the hymen but still subjecting the child to sexual abuse. This makes the crime harder to prove and often leads to investigations stalling.

During forensic medical examinations, the absence of definitive evidence allows suspects to avoid justice.

“There are many types of forensic examinations, but investigators are not familiar with all of them. They don’t know how to work with victims of sexual violence—especially children—and are often completely untrained,” said Lazzat Rakysheva.

Lyazzat Rakisheva, lawyer. Photo by: Aishabibi Mukhtarkyzy

She proposed that investigators and forensic medical experts in Kazakhstan should undergo skills training at least once a year. Mandatory measures, she said, should include specialized workshops, international exchange programs, and courses on modern methods of investigating crimes against children. This is crucial because, in Kazakhstan, cases of abuse committed by family members often never make it to court, ending instead during the investigation stage.

“We had a case from Kyzylorda Region. A girl wrote to us saying her biological brother had raped her. Years later, she took him to court. Her mother took the brother’s side, telling her, ‘Why bring up something from the past? Do you think you’ll gain respect by having your own brother imprisoned?!’ The case went to trial, and even though this time her hymen was no longer intact, the case was still closed. The verdict was unjust. During the investigation, the forensic examinations were incomplete. She was never given a psychological or psychiatric evaluation. Unfortunately, we encounter such situations very often in our work,” she said.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE EXISTS IN THE ONLINE SPACE TOO

According to UNICEF research conducted between 2010 and 2022 in 120 countries, around 650 million girls worldwide—about one in every five—have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives. More than 370 million of them were victims of contact-based sexual abuse.

llustration author: Ansagan Mustafa

Research shows that sexual violence causes severe social and economic harm to society. Much of this data is based on studies conducted in South Africa. According to a report by Save the Children South Africa, in 2015 the economic cost of violence against children—whether sexual, physical, or emotional—amounted to 5.1% of South Africa’s GDP. UN economic experts estimate that the global impact of violence against children can reach between 2% and 8% of the world’s GDP.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, more than 900 children in Kazakhstan were victims of sexual crimes in 2024.

In Kazakhstan, 21% of children experience sexual violence, 36.2% are subjected to psychological abuse, and 0.5% endure severe physical punishment. The highest rates are in Turkistan Region (70%), followed by Ulytau (54%), Aktobe (51%), Almaty (50%), and West Kazakhstan Region (48%). The lowest rate is in Astana, at 13.2% (UNICEF data).

A 2023 Kids Online study found that 21% of children in Kazakhstan have been victims of cyberbullying, while 15% have encountered sexual content online. This indicates that sexual violence is spreading not only offline but also in the digital space. Additionally, 10% of children reported adding strangers as friends on the internet.

Aisulu Bekmusa, UNICEF Head of Childhood Protection Programs /photo from manshuq.com/

That is why Aisulu Bekmussa, Head of UNICEF’s Child Protection Programmes, emphasized that safety is important not only in real life but also in the online space.

“Children need to understand what ‘online grooming,’ bullying, and harmful content are. They should know the risks of interacting with strangers and of sharing personal photos and videos. Parents must set clear and understandable rules for using the internet together with their children and explain why these rules are necessary,” she said.

BOYS ARE ALSO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

For many years, sexual abuse of boys remained largely overlooked. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have clearly shown that boys, too, are victims of sexual violence. Between 2010 and 2022, an estimated 410–530 million boys—about one in seven—experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. Among them, 240–310 million boys—one in eleven—were victims of contact-based sexual abuse.

Geographically, the highest rates of sexual abuse against boys are found in Africa (18.6%), followed by countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (16%). In Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the figure stands at 12.3%.

According to a UN General Assembly and Security Council report, in conflict zones sexual violence against boys increased by 35% in 2024. During conflicts, boys have been used not only as “human shields” but also subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation—often by armed groups, local authorities, or military personnel.

Unfortunately, in Kazakhstan there is no reliable official data on sexual violence against boys. Researchers face numerous challenges in documenting and registering such cases.

However, according to Human Rights Lawyers’ legal expert Lazzat Rakysheva, complaints from underage boys and their parents have been increasing recently. She is currently working on the case of a seven-year-old boy from Turkistan Region who was allegedly abused by his stepfather’s brother. Previously, she handled cases involving two boys aged 14 and 15. Some married men have even written to say they were subjected to sexual abuse by relatives during childhood.

“At our center, another woman from Turkistan Region contacted us, saying, ‘My seven-year-old son was raped.’ She claimed the abuser was the son of her husband’s brother. I contacted the relevant authorities and offered help to both her and the boy. I said, ‘Let me help you file a police report.’ But when we arrived at the police station, she changed her story and signed a statement saying, ‘I lied.’ No one followed up on the case. The boy should have been taken to a proctologist, but the case never moved forward. I don’t believe she lied. I think she fell victim to that false sense of shame, listened to her relatives, and bowed to pressure—sacrificing her own child’s safety. Such situations allow another predator to remain free, putting many other boys and girls at risk,” Rakysheva said.

Serikgul Sali, psychologist. Photo by: Aishabibi Mukhtarkyzy

Psychologist Serikgul Sali explained that sexual abuse of boys between the ages of six and nine can severely hinder their psychosexual development. Such trauma often prevents them from enjoying a healthy sexual life or forming normal relationships in the future. In her experience, full recovery among boys who have been victims of sexual abuse is extremely rare. Many are unable to express their inner aggression, blame themselves, and in some cases even attempt suicide.

“Most people don’t believe a young child’s words. They dismiss it, saying, ‘He’s lying!’ Even if the child tells the truth, this mistrust teaches him to stay silent the next time. He develops the mindset, ‘No one will believe me anyway.’ If the child is constantly compared to others and belittled, he starts feeling uncomfortable in his own skin. This is how boys fall silent and become afraid to ask for help,” the psychologist said.

Experts we interviewed stressed that cases of sexual abuse involving boys often remain hidden within families and rarely become public. If a case does reach the police, it is handled by investigators specializing in juvenile cases. Unfortunately, there is no separate approach for boys, no dedicated services or programs for male victims in Kazakhstan, and no separate statistics are kept by authorities.

VIOLENCE HAS LONG EXISTED IN OUR SOCIETY

“Violence has always existed in our society. I say this because women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s write to me. Many were abused as children. Today they have families of their own, but even in the middle of their lives, they cannot forget the pain they endured. They write that the wound in their hearts never healed. Our psychologists have worked with many of them,” said Lazzat Rakysheva.

Rakysheva herself was a victim of sexual abuse as a child. She speaks openly about her experience on social media and at events dedicated to children’s rights. She provides free assistance to victims, encourages them not to hide their stories, and works to protect their legal rights.

When she was six years old, she was left temporarily in the care of neighbors while her parents were away. Instead of protecting her, two 18-year-old young men from the neighboring house raped her. At the time, Lazzat did not fully understand what was happening, but the incident shaped her entire life.

She kept the secret for years, sometimes losing hope and even thinking about suicide. To recover from the severe psychological trauma, she sought help from several psychologists. Eventually, she decided to break her silence, writing a book about her ordeal. The process of writing and sharing it with readers was far from easy, but it allowed her not only to heal herself but also to give a voice to other victims.

WHY DOES SEXUAL VIOLENCE PERSIST?

Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International has spent over 35 years working worldwide to improve the safety of children, teenagers, adults, and people with special needs. Its mission is to teach life-saving skills such as self-protection, maintaining personal boundaries, saying “No!”, and getting out of unsafe situations.

The organization’s founder and executive director, Irene van der Zande, shared her view on why sexual violence remains so widespread globally. According to her, in order to completely eradicate violence, it is necessary to confront its root causes first. She highlighted silence and fear of retaliation as the two of the main reasons. She also pointed to the following factors:

1. 1. Intergenerational transmission of psychological trauma
      If person who experienced abuse in childhood does not receive timely psychological help, they may be prone in adulthood to becoming an abuser themselves or, much more often, falling into a pattern of re-victimization. Over time, this dangerous phenomenon can start to be perceived as a normal part of life.
   2. Fear of losing reputation and status
      Around the world, cases of abuse are often covered up to protect the reputation of families, schools, places of worship, communities, and governments.
   3. Lack of protection for women’s and children’s rights
      In some cultures, children and women are treated as second-class citizens. Their voices and opinions are disregarded. This is not only a legal issue, but also a deep social problem.
   4. Groups that profit from sexual exploitation
      Some individuals and criminal groups seek to gain money or power by sexually exploiting children and teenagers. Such crimes occur both online and offline.
   5. Parents’ lack of necessary knowledge
      Many parents lack the knowledge and skills needed to protect their children. They may fail to recognize abusers or may dismiss what their child says.
   6. Children’s lack of self-protection skills
      It is important to teach children how to say “No!”, ask for help, and express their feelings openly. This is the responsibility not only of the child, but also of the adults raising them.

In 2024 alone, Kidpower conducted online and in-person training for more than 20,000 people. The organization’s website attracted 351,000 unique visitors, and 3,500 people accessed video lessons and books via the Online Learning Center. In addition, through partnerships with schools and organizations, over 100,000 people benefited from Kidpower’s educational resources and training programs.

WHEN SHOULD EDUCATION ON SEXUAL SAFETY BEGIN?

Global experts highly value Kidpower’s training program and teaching methodology. Founded as a non-profit in 1989, Kidpower has already taught safety skills to over 10 million children and adults. The key feature of the organization’s approach is that it teaches safety not through fear and anxiety, but in engaging and empowering ways.

Kidpower’s “Positive Practice Teaching Method” is based on role-playing and practical exercises. This approach allows children and adults to confidently and freely learn how to act in real-life situations.

Van der Zande noted Kidpower focuses on teaching adults how to protect young people in their care – and how to prepare children and teens to take charge of their own safety.

“A child’s parent, teacher, caregiver, and neighbor must have the knowledge and skills to recognize dangerous situations and take effective action,” she said.

According to Kidpower’s research, there is a large global difference in when and how education on sexual safety is introduced. This often depends on the local government, school system, religion, whether the setting is rural or urban, and the level of parental permission.

“We try to work with each person and culture according to their specific context and avoid certain terms. For example, we don’t say ‘sexual safety’—instead, we teach about ‘body safety’ because the former may be unclear or confusing to children. We also avoid describing in detail exactly how sexual abuse happens, as this could create unnecessary and disturbing images in children’s minds,” said the Kidpower leader.

“IN KAZAKHSTAN, THIS TOPIC IS STILL SEEN AS ‘UNCOMFORTABLE’”

In Kazakhstan today, there is still a shortage of free and accessible psychological help, systematic rehabilitation, and specialized centers for children recovering from abuse. There are also almost no programs working with the victims’ families.

Lawyer Lazzat Rakyisheva stressed the need to retrain school psychologists and social educators to strengthen work in this field.

“I’m happy to announce the launch of the new project ‘Developing and Supporting Volunteer Initiatives.’ We aim to reach 10,000 people nationwide. Volunteers will be involved from the very beginning—identifying victims of violence in each region—and continue until they receive concrete assistance. Their main role will be to distribute accessible information about what to do, where to go, and who to contact in cases of abuse, as well as to engage with the community,” she said.

If a child experiences abuse, the first step is to tell their parents. If the child doesn’t feel safe or is afraid to talk to them, they should approach the school psychologist. If that is not possible, the child can call the police or the national 111 emergency hotline. Calls to 111 are free, and all information remains confidential. For free assistance, one can contact the Human Rights Lawyers public foundation’s “One-Stop-Service One Step” center at +7 707 154 75 38.

Illustration author: Ansagan Mustafa

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan has also been systematically focusing on this issue. The organization helps improve child protection reforms in line with international standards, contributing to legislative reviews and the development of the education system.

Key steps in this direction include the Comprehensive Plan for 2023–2025, the 2024 decision to criminalize minor bodily injuries and beatings, and the President’s directive to develop the national program “Children of Kazakhstan.”

At every stage of this process, UNICEF provides expert support—such as offering early assistance to families, training professionals, and introducing new standards. Since 2024, 112 Family Support Centers have been operating nationwide. More than 1,200 specialists there have already provided assistance to over 34,000 people, and nearly 2,000 families have been placed under comprehensive support.

To assist children who have experienced sexual violence, UNICEF supports the introduction of the Barnahus model—a system that provides legal, medical, and psychological assistance to a child all in one place. This approach aims to minimize the risk of re-traumatization.

Internet safety has also been a priority. UNICEF develops special information campaigns and educational materials to protect children from online grooming, bullying, and harmful content, working closely with parents in the process.

“THE WORDS ‘NO ONE NEEDS YOU’ ARE ALSO VIOLENCE”

Erkenaz’s traumatic experience is the cry of thousands of women and girls in our society who have suffered violence and remained silent. Countless children and women hide their emotional wounds, keeping them locked inside. But Erkenaz is one of those who chose not to remain silent—choosing instead to fight for her rights.

Erkenaz, 18 years old

She graduated with a degree in Primary Education and plans to become a forensic psychologist in the future. This is not just her personal dream—she is determined to extend a helping hand to others as well.

Currently, she is receiving support from lawyers Aiman Omarova and Lazzat Rakyshova, as well as the Children’s Rights Commissioner, Dinara Zakieva. Her tuition fees have been covered, and psychological assistance has been provided.

“Violence is coercion—it’s disrespect. The words ‘No one needs you’ are also violence. There are men who threaten women by saying, ‘You can’t live without me.’ But silence is not the answer. Every person has the right to live without fear, to feel free, and to defend their rights in an independent country,” said Erkenaz.

Erkenaz’s lawyer, Gulayim Sakenkyzy, said that the case was initially investigated by a female officer, as required by law in such cases. However, the investigator is currently on maternity leave, so they are awaiting the appointment of a new one. Her legal team plans to conduct an additional medical examination to prove injuries to the victim’s colon. According to them, the competent authorities have still not provided documentation explaining why the criminal case was most recently suspended.

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Published: September 3, 2025   |   Last Updated: September 3, 2025