States’ main obligations under the Lanzarote Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse
Under the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (hereafter Lanzarote Convention), Parties’ first obligation consists of taking all the necessary legislative or other measures to prevent children from being sexually exploited and sexually abused, protecting the victims and prosecuting the perpetrators. This means that, to comply with the Lanzarote Convention, national legislation, measures, procedures and facilities must also be applicable to those children affected by crisis and emergencies.
On the 10th of March 2022, the Lanzarote Committee3 adopted and published a Statement calling for the protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse resulting from the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. In particular, it called to “uphold the rights and best interests of the child at all times” and to “take measures to address the specific risk of exposure to sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of migrant and refugee children”.
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITIONS PREVENTING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST CHILDREN IN CRISIS AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
What does the Lanzarote Convention say?
Challenges that you should be aware of
What prevention actions can be put in place
Relevant promising practices put in place by Parties to the Lanzarote Convention
IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING CHILD VICTIMS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN CRISIS AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
What does the Lanzarote Convention say?
Challenges that you should be aware of
What identification and reporting actions can be put in place?
PROVIDING SUPPORT TO CHILD VICTIMS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN CRISIS AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
What does the Lanzarote Convention say?
Challenges that you should be aware of
What protection actions can be put in place
PROSECUTING OFFENDERS AND ENSURING CHILD-FRIENDLY PROCEEDINGS IN CRISIS AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
What does the Lanzarote Convention say?
Challenges that you should be aware of
What measures can be put in place to prosecute offenders and ensure child-friendly proceedings
ANNEX 1 – COUNCIL OF EUROPE STANDARDS, TOOLS AND MONITORING FINDINGS RELATING TO CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF MIGRATION
