100 police specialists – including investigative officers and criminal prosecution officers from various districts across the country – are participating between June 3–17, 2025, in Chișinău, in a series of four specialized training workshops focused on the effective investigation of child sexual abuse and exploitation cases, with an emphasis on the use of information and communication technologies. The agenda of the workshops was designed to encourage active participation and hands-on learning, inviting officers to collaborate, exchange ideas, and directly explore tools, scenarios, and trends from real-life cases of online child abuse and exploitation. The workshop facilitators covered a range of topics, including global and national trends in online child sexual abuse and exploitation, its various forms, risky online behaviors, and the psychological and emotional dimensions of the trauma experienced by child victims. The practical component of the workshops brought participants face-to-face with several key professional topics such as: investigative methods and tactics in online child sexual abuse and exploitation cases; the particularities of collecting digital evidence during criminal proceedings in such cases; and the importance of conducting victim interviews with empathy and accuracy, in conditions that minimize the risk of retraumatization. All of these efforts aim to strengthen the professional capacity of specialists to investigate digital child sexual abuse cases more effectively. “Workshops dedicated to law enforcement professionals in the country are consistently among our most anticipated activities. We are always pleased to see conscientious, engaged officers who are eager to deeply understand this extremely complex phenomenon. We are seeing that online child sexual exploitation and abuse is manifesting in increasingly sophisticated ways, which explains the growing interest among participants in identifying trends behind these crimes. Unfortunately, offenders are becoming more inventive, continuously evolving their tactics and strategies in line with technological developments. That’s precisely why we organize these training sessions—to enhance specialists’ ability to recognize, prevent, and respond effectively, always with the child’s best interest at heart” stated Veronica Maevschi, Program Director for Children at the International Center “La Strada.” According to data recorded by the INHOPE global network, of which the International Center “La Strada” is a member, in 2024, the Republic of Moldova ranked 15th globally in terms of hosted materials, with 19,593 items found on servers based in the country. Between January and December 2024 alone, the SigurOnline Hotline, operated by “La Strada” for reporting child sexual abuse materials, received 11,894 reports. The International Center “La Strada” has also made sustained efforts to identify and raise awareness of legislative gaps that currently allow for the hosting of a significant volume of child sexual abuse materials on servers located within Moldova. We express our hope that the competent authorities will respond promptly and responsibly, thereby contributing to the development of an effective legal framework to eliminate these vulnerabilities nationwide. These workshops are organized by the International Center “La Strada”, in partnership with the General Police Inspectorate and the “Ștefan cel Mare” Academy, as part of the project: “National Center for Online Child Safety in the Republic of Moldova – Establishing a Structured and Coordinated Framework to Respond to Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation,” implemented with the support of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children.

125 specialists — including community social workers and supervisors, child rights protection experts, as well as members of local and district multidisciplinary teams — gathered in Chișinău between May 19–29, 2025, for five workshops focused on the multidisciplinary approach to cases of online sexual abuse against children. These sessions aimed to strengthen knowledge, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and identify effective collaboration methods for addressing digital environment challenges at the institutional level. During the workshops, participants were informed about emerging types of online abuse and how to recognize and document them effectively while ensuring children’s rights are respected. Special attention was also given to analyzing the essential steps of a proper intervention, one that prioritizes the needs and safety of affected children. The agenda included practical exercises based on real-world scenarios designed to help professionals better understand how to work together efficiently and empathetically to respond professionally to cases of online sexual abuse involving children. Veronica Maevschi, Director of the Children’s Program, emphasized that “Online sexual abuse is a complex phenomenon, and institutions—no matter how competent—cannot fight it alone. Close cooperation among all those involved is essential, built on empathy, understanding, knowledge, and professionalism. That is why, in the workshops we organize with specialists from various regions of the country, we focus on an integrated approach and the development of practical intervention skills for such cases. We believe this learning space will be beneficial for participating professionals.” According to her, in 2024, 11,894 reports of materials containing child sexual abuse were registered in the country, five times more than in 2023. A total of 29,620 materials were removed from the digital space. Of these, 59% contained extremely severe imagery involving children under 13, often in situations of explicit sexual abuse. Data from the General Police Inspectorate are equally alarming, reflecting a 70% increase in cases of child sexual abuse facilitated by information technologies. This initiative supports the International Center “La Strada” in its commitment to combating violence against children in all its forms, including online, and to creating a sustainable framework for child protection amid rapid digital transformations. The ultimate goal of the workshops is to establish a coordinated, timely, and empathetic response to support child victims of online sexual abuse, thereby contributing to their real and effective protection. The workshops were organized by the International Center “La Strada” in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, with support from the Global Fund  – Safe Online.

When it comes to the digital protection of children, we cannot afford to fall behind—nor should we treat it as a goal for the distant future. It is an urgent necessity and, equally, our institutional responsibility. From May 12–14, our colleague Veronica MAEVSCHI, Director of the Child Program at the International Centre "La Strada", participated in #EuroDIG2025 – the leading European forum dedicated to internet governance. The event was hosted in Strasbourg (France) by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. EuroDIG serves as a platform for dialogue and exchange on emerging internet-related issues and challenges. This year's edition placed a strong emphasis on the digital rights of children and young people, as well as on recognizing their active role in the online space. With over 700 participants—including representatives from European institutions, civil society, academia, the tech industry, media, and experts from various fields—the forum once again confirmed the importance of a multistakeholder approach in shaping digital policies at the European level. We return from this event with valuable perspectives. However, one topic of deep concern—and which sparked intense discussion during the forum—is the non-consensual distribution of intimate images (NCDII). This form of digital violence disproportionately affects women and young girls, causing serious harm to victims’ personal, emotional, and social lives. The non-consensual sharing of intimate images (NCDII) is a severe form of digital abuse, particularly impacting women and young adults. It is crucial to highlight that when such content involves individuals under the age of 18 (children and adolescents), it qualifies as child sexual abuse material (CSAM), regardless of the context in which the images were created. This content is illegal, exploitative, and traumatizing—requiring immediate action from both digital platforms and the relevant authorities. Age verification in the online environment was another key topic, posing real challenges: how can we protect children without infringing on their privacy or limiting their right to digital participation? It became clear that no single solution is sufficient. What we need is collective action—coherent policies, responsible technology, continuous education, and the engagement of society as a whole. The International Centre "La Strada" remains unwavering and consistent in its mission to protect children in the digital environment, ensuring that no child is left alone in the face of online risks, and that every child has the right to a safe, respectful, and inclusive digital space.

The Ungheni community came together today in a powerful act of solidarity and support for victims and survivors of sexual violence as part of “Denim Day”—a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence. Approximately 200 women, men, and young people, all wearing denim, marched with clear messages denouncing sexual violence and advocating for survivors. The march began at Independence Square and ended in "Micul Cluj" Park, where participants painted the Women and Girls Trustline number — 0 8008 8008 — on benches to help raise awareness about support services available for victims of sexual violence. The event was financially supported by the European Union through the EVOLVE4GE project and organized by the International Center "La Strada" in partnership with UN Women Moldova. Participants carried banners with anti-violence messages and information about the Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ungheni Municipality. This service provides, under one roof and free of charge, medical, forensic, psychological, legal, and social assistance, and serves six districts: Ungheni, Călărași, Telenești, Fălești, Sîngerei, and Nisporeni. The contact numbers for the service are: 0785 17 327 | 0784 95 866. “Sexual violence continues to affect women and girls in the Republic of Moldova. According to an OSCE study, 49% of women in Moldova have experienced sexual harassment at least once in their lifetime after the age of 15. Every April, we amplify voices and efforts against all forms of sexual violence and draw public attention to the urgent need for prevention and response—in schools, universities, workplaces, and interpersonal relationships,” stated Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova Country Representative, in the context of Sexual Harassment Awareness Month. “This public demonstration aims to challenge the stereotypes surrounding sexual violence and promote respect, empathy, and support for survivors. Through this march, we seek to send a strong message of solidarity and raise public awareness that sexual violence is a serious issue requiring everyone’s involvement,” said Elena Botezatu, Executive Director of the International Center “La Strada.” Cristina Ghizdari, Manager of the Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ungheni, emphasized that the community’s mobilization through this march carries deep significance. “The actions we’re taking here today show that people in this community choose not to remain silent in the face of a painful reality. For the Regional Integrated Service, this event helps break the silence, encourages reporting of cases, and shows that real support and empathy are available for survivors.” To mark Denim Day, multiple awareness and educational activities were held in Ungheni. The morning began with two sessions focused on sexual harassment at the local medical college and vocational school. Additionally, social workers from the districts of Ungheni, Nisporeni, Fălești, Sîngerei, Telenești, and Călărași gathered to discuss victim-centered approaches in responding to cases of sexual violence. Background on Denim Day: The Denim Day campaign was sparked by a decision of the Supreme Court of Italy, which overturned a rape conviction and triggered a strong reaction from civil society. In 1990, an 18-year-old woman was taken by her driving instructor—a 45-year-old married man—on her first lesson. He drove her to a remote area, forced her out of the car, partially removed her jeans, and raped her. He then threatened to kill her if she told anyone and forced her to drive home. That same night, she told her parents, who supported her and filed a criminal complaint. The rapist was convicted and sentenced to prison, but he appealed the verdict all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1992, a Supreme Court judge overturned the conviction, arguing that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped remove them, which implied consent. The following day, women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans—against the formal dress code—as a sign of solidarity with the victim. Since then, Denim Day has been marked annually across numerous European countries and the United States on the last Wednesday of April as a symbol of protest against harmful attitudes toward sexual assault. In April 2018, Denim Day was commemorated for the first time in Moldova, initiated by the International Center “La Strada.” As a reminder, in March 2023, UN Women Moldova, in partnership with local authorities and civil society, established the country’s first Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence with financial support from the European Union. The service, piloted by the International Center “La Strada,” ensures survivors have access to specialized medical care, forensic examinations, psychosocial and legal assistance, and psychological evaluation—all in one location. It covers the districts of Ungheni, Fălești, Sîngerei, Călărași, Nisporeni, and Telenești. Since its launch, 72 victims have received support, including 50 survivors of sexual violence. The service can be reached at: 0785 17 327 | 0784 95 866.