European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

Child sexual exploitation and abuse are issues that can occur at home, in school, during extracurricular activities, on the streets, over the phone, through a webcam or in online spaces. Shockingly, 70 to 85 per cent of such incidents are perpetrated by individuals known to the child within their trusted circle, leading to lifelong damage. Sadly, in 90 per cent of the cases, sexual violence acts are not reported to the police.

Background

To prevent these crimes and protect the victims, society must confront the issue and not shy away. In this context , the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers established in 2015 the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse as part of its ONE in FIVE Campaign  to stop sexual violence against children.  The initiative encourages open dialogue, raises awareness, and drives practical actions to help victims. 

Learning from victims and survivors of childhood sexual violence to inspire policy change

The theme for 2023 is an open call to acknowledge and understand the experiences of the victims and engage with them at national and local levels. By doing so, we can create policies to react better to, report, and support those affected.

According to the victims, they often face significant barriers to disclosing or reporting abuse, such as feelings of shame or stigma. It is essential to overcome these obstacles to provide support and help for healing. Failure to address these issues also means that perpetrators can escape justice, which can lead to further abuse of the same or other children. Engaging with this year’s theme can inspire meaningful policy changes and contribute to building a safer world for the young generation.

Better Internet for Kids for European Day on the Protection of Children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse

At Better Internet for Kids, our mission is to ensure that children and young people have the best experience online. We understand that issues like child sexual abuse can impede children’s online experience. By addressing these issues, providing educational resources, and promoting safe online practices, we contribute to a comprehensive approach to protecting children from exploitation.

At Better Internet for Kids, our mission is to ensure that children and young people have the best experience online. We understand that issues like child sexual abuse can impede children’s online experience. By addressing these issues, providing educational resources, and promoting safe online practices, we contribute to a comprehensive approach to protecting children from exploitation.

Have a look at our work, articles and resources on the topic of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse online:  

• INHOPE and Better Internet for Kids (BIK) coordinate the network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs) network in Europe. INHOPE focuses on member hotline activities dedicated to the removal of illegal content online, specifically child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Find more information on the work and activities of the Insafe and INHOPE network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs) on the BIK portal.  
• Child Focus launched the prevention game "Ok Groomer" to teach children aged 8-14 how to deal with grooming in a playful way.
• Around the world, children are going online earlier and staying online for longer. To ensure their protection, empowerment and respect in the online environment, the European Commission launched the new European strategy for a Better Internet for Kids in May 2022.
• Children and young people are at the heart of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) agenda, in which the European Commission (EC), Safer Internet Centres (SICs) across Europe, and other stakeholders work together to ensure that every young European has access to a digital environment where they feel protected, that is why they have a dedicated space on the BIK portal. 

Learn more about the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse on the website of the Council of Europe or check out #EndChildSexAbuseDay on social media.