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Pressure on children and parents: school, university, child services

Draft First minutes: what human rights defenders usually advise

Pressure on children and parents: school, university, child services

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

  • Children are not taken away over their own or their parents' views alone, but a complaint from school can turn into a child services check or the family being put on a police watch list.
  • Ask child services staff for ID and call their office to check. Without police and a registered crime report you do not have to let them in; it is worth filming the visit.
  • The inspection report must be given in writing within 10 days and can be challenged in court. If nothing was found, there should be no repeat checks.
  • A school cannot require you to install MAX: the digital and education ministries call it voluntary. Write your refusal to the head teacher and ask for another way to stay in touch.
  • OVD-Info has guides on teenagers on police watch lists and on expulsion over protests. Parents need support too — First Line offers anonymous sessions.

current as of September 25. More: OVD-Info: child services have come to my home (extremist); OVD-Info: getting off a police watch list (extremist); OVD-Info: MAX at school (extremist)

Draft First minutes: what human rights defenders usually advise

A child or teenager has been detained

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

  • Administrative and criminal liability start at 16, and at 14 for some crimes. Minors are held separately from adults, and the police must inform parents immediately.
  • A teenager can only be released to a legal guardian. If parents may not make it in time, give a trusted person a power of attorney in advance.
  • A teacher or psychologist must attend the questioning of anyone under 16; a parent may take part from the first interrogation. Art. 51 of the Constitution applies to children too.
  • Detention often leads to registration with the juvenile police unit, which can be lifted. Call to Conscience and First Department explain how to opt out of basic military training and propaganda classes.
  • Where to turn: OVD-Info (bot), First Department; psychological support for the family — First Line.

current as of September 25. More: First Department: my child was detained (foreign agent); OVD-Info: detention of minors (extremist); Call to Conscience: opting out of military training and propaganda classes

Who helps

3 organisations

First Line

Free, anonymous psychological support for people affected by, or afraid of, political persecution and for their families; an information line and safety guides.

If Telegram doesn't open: website

online
Message the bot @FirstLineHelpBot

First Department

Lawyers for treason, espionage, state secrets and extremism cases, including closed trials. Advice on digital security.

If Telegram doesn't open: website

abroad foreign agent link checked September 25
Message the bot @deptonebot

OVD-Info

Advice for people who are detained or face administrative or criminal cases over protests and anti-war statements. They can tell you how to behave during questioning.

Since June 2026 it no longer works with lawyers in Russia; it gives advice and refers people onward. For criminal cases and pressure on families, also contact First Department and Prison Lawyer.

If Telegram doesn't open: legal@ovdinfo.org · 8 800 707-05-28

abroad foreign agentextremiston Rosfinmonitoring list link checked September 25
Message the bot @ovdinfobot

Lawyers for political cases →

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