CoE ADOPTS CONVENTION TO PROTECT CHILDREN AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
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[06:43 pm] 13 July, 2007
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted the
Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation
and Sexual Abuse, which represents a major advance in this field.
"There should be no hesitation or complacency in the fight against
sexual exploitation and abuse of children," said Council of Europe
Secretary General Terry Davis when he welcomed the adoption of the
Convention.
"This Convention is a true added value for member states to reinforce
their action to prevent and combat this intolerable violation of
children’s most fundamental rights", continued the Deputy Secretary
General of the Organisation, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio.
This new Convention is the first instrument to establish the various
forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offences, including
such abuse committed in the home or family, with the use of force,
coercion or threats.
In addition to the offences traditionally committed in this field
– sexual abuse, child prostitution, child pornography, children’s
forced participation in pornographic performances – the text also
addresses the issue of "grooming" of children for sexual purposes and
"sex tourism".
The Convention will be opened for signature at the Conference of
European Ministers of Justice in Lanzarote on 25 and 26 October
this year.
Its adoption is to be seen also in the context of the three-year
Programme run for a year by the Council of Europe "Building a Europe
for and with children".