RIGA, May 28 (LETA) - The Child Protection Centre (BAC) received more than 1,700 applications for alleged violations of children's rights last year, almost twice as many as the year before, the center told LETA.

According to the BAC 2024 public report, 92 service reports and 679 applications were received and examined in 2024, for a total of 771 applications concerning alleged violations of children's rights. The report for last year has not yet been made public.

The increasing number of referrals to the BAC reflects both the growing public attention to child safety issues and the increasing workload of professionals who make decisions affecting children's future on a daily basis.

BAC stressed that in such circumstances timely involvement and action of every professional - social worker, teacher, police officer, medical professional or orphan's court representative - is crucial for the child's life. Moreover, the centre noted that not only professionalism but also humanity are crucial in protecting children's rights. Often, a simple decision, such as whether to ask a child a follow-up question to find out more, can have a significant impact on a child's well-being, confidence and future, the BAC stressed.

That is why BAC is launching on Thursday a communication campaign to strengthen the professional confidence of those working in the system. On the opening day of the campaign, professionals working in the field of child protection will be greeted with words of encouragement and appreciation as they go to work at several locations in Riga.

At the same time, BAC invites the public to share personal and inspiring stories of professionals whose professional actions, humanity and commitment have helped a child in a difficult situation. The centre invites people to share stories on social media, tagging BAC and using the hashtag #BernaLaba.

The BAC stresses that the need for a strong support network is not only demonstrated by the increasing number of legal applications, but also by the self-assessment of children and young people themselves. According to a survey of Latvian schoolchildren conducted by the BAC, while most children are generally satisfied with their lives, a significant proportion regularly experience negative emotions. The majority, 55 percent, feel anxious always or often, a third or 35 percent, feel depressed always or often, and 37 percent are worried always or often. The survey was carried out in 2024 and included 8,286 respondents aged 11-19.

"This emotional background serves as an early risk signal. It is important that education, medical or social workers spot these changes in a child's behavior early and react and, if necessary, cooperate with other authorities," explains the BAC. Early involvement of professionals is important to ensure that emotional difficulties do not have a lasting impact on a child's emotional and physical health, academic performance, social relationships and ability to fully integrate into society in the future, the center reminds.

BAC also stresses that the sustainability of the child protection system depends to a large extent on the attitude, understanding, professional conviction and motivation of the professionals working in it to make the best interests of the child a priority in their daily work and not just a formal requirement of the law.

The center will organise a series of educational and support activities for professionals in the European Social Fund Plus project until 2030 to improve their professional competence, strengthen their professional confidence, their affiliation to the field of children's rights protection and to develop a common practice among professionals to ensure children's participation.