Článek
A comprehensive criminal complaint has been filed against OSPOD (the Authority for Social-Legal Protection of Children in the Czech Republic).
A mother of four, who has been lovingly and impeccably caring for her children for 12 years, decided to share her experience with OSPOD, the Authority for Social-Legal Protection of Children in the Czech Republic. With irony and sarcasm, she wonders whether we should rename this state institution to OSPOT (Authority for Social-Legal Protection of Fathers), OSPON (Authority for Social-Legal Protection of Abusers), or OSPOO (Authority for Social-Legal Protection of OSPOD). Which name do you think fits best?
The mother presented evidence of domestic violence to the court, including recordings where the father claimed she deserved to be beaten because he „had to“ intervene, and that she should apologize to him for having to beat her. The evidence also included medical reports documenting physical assaults during pregnancy and a court verdict for endangering the lives of the mother and children. The children testified to the police about how their father abused their mother, how he punished them, and his overall behavior. What was the outcome? A five-year-old child was placed in the custody of this very father, despite all the evidence and the children’s opposition. The siblings were separated, and the five-year-old boy was taken away from his mother, who had been his sole stable and caring caregiver.
OSPOD justified this decision by claiming that the mother manipulated the children and spread „defamatory information“ about the father. Defamatory information? Evidence of domestic violence. Could such a thing happen in Western Europe? Hardly. In the Czech Republic, however, child protection is often carried out in a manner that resembles an absurd farce.
The abuser, with OSPOD’s support, accused the mother of psychological instability. He claimed it was her fault that the child was emotionally devastated by being separated from his siblings and mother. The absurd logic continues: the mother was blamed for the trauma caused by the court and OSPOD. This carousel of absurdity escalated to the point where the father fabricated a story that the mother was planning a „murder-suicide.“ The Czech Police did not investigate or contact the mother to verify the claim. Instead of trying to protect or save the mother, OSPOD, upon hearing that the pregnant mother was supposedly planning to kill everyone, prepared a scenario to „rescue the children.“ Without the mother’s knowledge, the children were taken 300 km away into institutional care, where they were supposed to remain until they „changed their opinion“ about the father.
During the journey, the 10-year-old boy and nearly 12-year-old girl were told they didn’t know what was good for them and that OSPOD had to intervene. OSPOD, unable to explain to the children why they were being removed or what was happening, informed them it was a „secret operation.“ This procedure was later deemed flawed by the ombudsman, but irreversible damage and lifelong trauma had already been inflicted.
The mother, who supports her children, prepares them for entrance exams, and even helped them create a bilingual illustrated book, has faced a harsh reality over the past year. She has collided with a custody system that ignores, humiliates, and destroys the natural bonds between mothers and their children. OSPOD often disregards maternal care and maternal bonds, instead creating an environment that traumatizes children and devastates family relationships.
What is OSPOD’s actual goal? To protect children, or just itself? Unfortunately, this story is not unique and raises important questions about the functioning of institutions that should serve children, not work against them.
A recent article on „iDNES“ stated that the future of the nation lies in birthing women because, unsurprisingly, we are facing population decline. WRONG! The future of the nation lies in respect for women, motherhood, and the maternal bond. If this is respected, mothers will not fear for their children, will not fear giving birth, and will raise healthy individuals, mentally resilient and untraumatized. The future of the nation is not in replacing the diminishing significance of the traditional male role (as psychologist Jeroným Klimeš commented on "iDNES") by systematically and unjustifiably taking children away from mothers.
APPEAL:
We kindly ask the family, friends, or acquaintances of the person who tragically passed away with a child in the Krkonoše Mountains at the end of 2022 to contact the author of this article at the phone number +420 774 848 814.
APPEAL II:
We ask anyone harmed by OSPOD Černošice and willing to join a criminal complaint against OSPOD Černošice to contact us at +420 774 848 814.
REQUEST FOR SUPPORT:
Petition for the protection of Czech children’s rights and mental health: Petition for the Protection of the Rights and Mental Health of Czech Children
REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
To fund the production of a documentary on systematically abused children and the publication of cases - transparent account:
IBAN CZ04 0800 0000 0055 1261 2003
