A newborn baby was abandoned in a hallway. A 13-year-old girl gave birth to a child. Minors have become victims of crime, with the girl reportedly raped by her biological father, brother, grandfather and other relatives. Such dark and distressing news has become alarmingly common. Why is a 13-year-old girl, who should be learning, growing and enjoying her childhood with peers, forced into the trauma of childbirth? What drives young children to become victims or, in some cases, perpetrators, of such crimes? And how can the physical and emotional wounds of sexually abused children ever be healed? These questions remain unanswered, as child protection issues have been neglected for years. Despite the urgency, the situation has only worsened.
Experts are walking away
In our country, there are over 30 one-stop service centers and temporary shelters dedicated to assisting victims of violence, many of which are operated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These NGOs shoulder a significant portion of the responsibility for protecting victims, yet they receive almost no funding from the government. Instead, they largely depend on foreign projects and programs to sustain their operations. However, the suspension of funding for humanitarian aid, projects and programs abroad by the US government has severely impacted these organizations. For instance, prominent NGOs such as World Vision, the Monfemnet National Network, and Beautiful Heart have faced funding cuts, making it increasingly difficult for them to continue their vital work.
The primary source of funding for NGOs addressing sexual exploitation and violence has traditionally been foreign aid. If Mongolia had allocated sufficient budgets for child protection services and prioritized the rights of its citizens, the situation would not have deteriorated to this extent. The lack of domestic investment in these critical areas has left vulnerable populations at greater risk and highlighted the urgent need for government action to support and sustain these essential services.
Moreover, the National Center Against Violence, which has operated stably for 30 years, is now facing severe challenges due to a loss of funding and the departure of its experts. Director of the center N.Arvintaria explained the situation, stating, “Following the adoption of the Child Protection Law, amendments were made to the Law on Combating Domestic Violence. As a result, it was decided to finance shelters from the local budget. However, funding for NGOs has not been addressed. There is no one in the government organization who understands their responsibilities. When I tried to meet with officials, I was met with empty doors and indifference.”
N.Arvintaria expressed deep concern over the lack of government support for those working in “hot spots” - children abandoned by their parents, abused, or victimized by crime. “There is no funding for child protection. We have been trying to resolve the budget issue for our temporary shelter since last November. We have repeatedly requested support from the Ulaanbaatar mayor and the chairman of the Ulaanbaatar City Council, but they have not responded. Due to the lack of funding, we have lost dedicated, experienced specialists. In reality, it would be more effective if the government collaborated with experts from NGOs. There are many specialists capable of performing work that the government cannot do.”
Similarly, the operations of the shelters run by the “Gender Equality” NGO have been disrupted. Head of the center G.Ganbayasgakh noted, “The shelters have ceased operations because they are no longer sustainable. Previously, the government would announce a tender every year and provide funding to selected organizations. However, relying too heavily on foreign funding for child protection and victim assistance services is risky. Mongolia needs to allocate sufficient budgets for child protection and establish a system for working with specialized organizations. Child protection is an integral part of state policy, and meaningful results can only be achieved through multi-stakeholder cooperation.”
Therefore, there is an urgent need for the government to prioritize child protection and domestic violence prevention by ensuring stable funding and fostering collaboration with experienced NGOs. Without such measures, the most vulnerable members of society will continue to suffer, and the progress made over decades risks being undone.
Collaboration between government and private sectors is crucial
One-stop service centers for the prevention of domestic violence operate in many countries worldwide, providing victims with comprehensive assistance, including health, legal, psychological and social protection services. In countries like the USA, Canada and the UK, such systems have developed into exemplary models. For instance, the US government actively supports NGOs in their efforts to combat child abuse, ensuring a collaborative approach to victim protection.
In contrast, while Mongolia has established policies, laws and a legal framework for protecting victims, implementation remains insufficient. There is no effective system to enhance cooperation between the government, NGOs and law enforcement agencies, nor is there adequate protection for victim information. It has become alarmingly common for sensitive information about abuse victims to be disclosed publicly, causing further harm to individuals who have already suffered. Once victimized, they continue to face additional trauma. Every human life is irreplaceable, yet there is a lack of government policy to prevent the untimely loss of even a single citizen.
Protecting victims of domestic violence and helping them rebuild their lives is crucial. While the government highlights the implementation of 14 mega projects, countless children continue to suffer abuse, grow up in harsh conditions and face uncertain futures. Shelters provide refuge for underage mothers who have been sexually abused and given birth to unwanted children, malnourished children with health issues, children with disabilities, and individuals injured by violence. However, the closure of these shelters due to budget shortages is deeply troubling. For example, a two-year-old child with severe dental decay, abandoned by his parents, was cared for in a shelter for several days before being referred to a care center. However, he was denied admission due to a congenital heart defect. This vulnerable child, whose mother was deemed unfit to care for him, was left without a safe place to stay during the harsh winter.
21 individuals who attempted suicide receive vital support
In the country, the hospital-based one-stop service center at the National Trauma and Orthopedic Research Center (NTORC) stands as the only facility providing 24-hour assistance and services to both children and adults who are victims of domestic violence. Given that domestic violence often occurs at night, the availability of temporary shelters to offer immediate assistance and support is critical. However, even this vital center faces significant challenges, including insufficient budget and housing shortages. Recently, there were discussions about closing the center and redistributing its functions to district-level facilities. If this center, which serves as a lifeline for children and women escaping domestic violence, is shut down, where will victims turn for help? Last year alone, approximately 1,300 individuals sought assistance from the center, including 1,129 adults and 171 children.
A social worker at the center noted that the number of people seeking help increases by 20-30 each year. Social worker at the shelter B.Suvd-Erdene explained, “Currently, 145 adults and 27 children have sought assistance from the one-stop service center at the National Center for Child Protection. All of them received health services, with many requiring hospitalization in the brain and hand-foot-and-mouth departments. Children who have been abused are referred to the 108 Child Support Center for further assistance. Some are placed in shelters, while those with serious injuries are accommodated here before being reported to the National Institute of Forensic Science and the police. Our shelter has only four beds, so we can only accommodate a limited number of people, typically for 72 hours. After that, they are transferred to long-term shelters. However, recently, many shelters have become invasive, refusing to accept victims with excuses like ‘No one is accepted’ or ‘Try the neighbor.’”
The one-stop service center at the NTORC has seen a significant number of children who have suffered domestic, physical, emotional and sexual abuse. However, the center’s shelter does not meet required standards and lacks the capacity to accommodate men and women separately. In addition to assisting victims of abuse, the center also supports individuals who have attempted suicide. Since the beginning of this year, 21 people have sought help from the center following suicide attempts. Despite the high workload and the growing number of people in need, the center has faced chronic shortages of manpower and funding for many years.
Operating under the Social Health Department of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Sexual and Reproductive Health, the one-stop service center has been functioning with a staff of five, recently increased by one social worker. These social workers provide round-the-clock assistance but receive no additional bonuses beyond their basic salaries. Furthermore, the shelter lacks funding for essential household expenses. Victims are provided with hospital meals, but staff often dip into their own pockets to buy hot tea for those arriving after hours. The “Tengeriin Khishig” company donates four bags of bread weekly, which has become a lifeline for the victims. Homeless and abused individuals rely on old clothes donated by others. Children, women and men who have narrowly escaped death or arrived unconscious after severe beatings desperately need comprehensive support. While the hospital-based organization ensures immediate medical care, psychological and social services are often neglected. The center has no dedicated psychologist and must rely on hospital staff when such services are needed.
The Sukhbaatar District General Hospital is the only other health institution in the country offering one-stop services, but it too struggles with insufficient funding and human resources. Although the structure and staff of the One-Stop Service Center were approved this year, its future remains uncertain. In light of these challenges, it is crucial for the government to step forward, not retreat, in protecting victims of violence, especially children. Without increased support, funding and resources, the most vulnerable members of society will continue to suffer, and the critical services they rely on will remain inadequate. The time has come for decisive action to ensure that no victim is left without the help and protection they desperately need.
