War also affects children’s behavior. Moreover, sometimes this behavior can go against the law. At the same time, martial law dictates stricter approaches to punishment. After all, the actions, previously considered only criminal misdemeanors, are now referred to as serious crimes.

Nineteen criminal offenses were committed by minors or with their participation in the Khmelnytskyi region in the first 5 months of 2023. This is 11% more than in the same period last year.

Most often, minors commit criminal offenses against property: theft or burglary from homes or other locations.

Since 2019, a pilot project of restorative justice has been operating in Ukraine for teenagers who have committed offenses for the first time. It is aimed at ensuring that minors reconcile with the victim and that the case does not lead to criminal liability.

However, after the introduction of martial law, any criminal act that has a material component—theft, burglary, robbery—is considered a serious crime. And that’s why juveniles who have committed them can no longer participate in the restorative justice program. At the same time, even now, the restorative justice program can include cases of minor injuries.