The authorities call on the people not to give money to children and adults with children who beg on the street and to call 902 and inform the police about begging cases. On February 9, the Chisinau Child Rights Protection Division launched a campaign to inform the population about child exploitation by begging and the consequences of giving money to begging children, IPN reports.
The campaign entitled “Don’t give them money! Help us to protect them“ is aimed at preventing begging involving children. It will include the distribution of informative brochures and the broadcasting of a video clip.
The Division’s head Svetlana Chifa considers begging involving children is topical in Chisinau, with begging becoming a lifestyle for many. The children often return to the street even if the authorities are sensitized to the issue and the children are placed at special centers. The fine for the parents whose children beg is 600 to 800 lei. They also risk community service.
Specialist of the Division Ianos Jitari said that most of the children do not admit that they were forced to beg by someone. Many children feel the need to beg because of poverty. Most of the times, their parents do not want to work. “The children who are identified and taken to the Emergency Placement Center run away and return to the street. It happens so almost every time,” he stated.
According to the Division’s data, 26 begging children were identified last year. Five of these begged in Chisinau, while 21 outside it. In 23 of the cases, the children begged alongside their mothers.
The campaign on begging and child exploitation by begging is staged by the Chisinau Child Rights Protection Division in cooperation with NGOs and the General Police Inspectorate.
