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.

What opportunities does Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer, and how can it be used for education? What are the pitfalls and risks of AI technologies for children and youth? How do children perceive the use of AI tools for education, entertainment, and social interaction, and how can we best prepare them for a life alongside this technology? These and other topics related to the benefits and risks of AI use were discussed on the first day of the Joint Training Meeting (JTM) for representatives of Hotline and Helpline centers within the Insafe and INHOPE networks, attended by International Center “La Strada” on March 19–20, 2025. The event is taking place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, organized as part of the European Better Internet for Kids initiative and brings together representatives of Helpline and Hotline services, researchers, and private sector companies. The aim is to facilitate the exchange of experience and best practices, explore common areas of interest and opportunities for closer cooperation, analyze the latest advancements in the field of artificial intelligence, and identify ways in which Helpline and Hotline services can incorporate AI into their work. An important topic discussed during the meeting was the regulation of Artificial Intelligence through the adoption of the European Artificial Intelligence Act (2024/1689), which establishes clear obligations for providers and users based on the classification of risks associated with AI use. This regulation represents a key step toward ensuring a safe and responsible framework for the development and deployment of advanced technologies, thereby protecting users—especially children—from the potential negative impacts of AI. In this context, the new regulations are expected to contribute to creating a safer online environment by reducing risks of abuse, manipulation, and exposure of young people to harmful content. Moreover, the adoption of this legislation is essential in supporting the protection of children in the digital environment, given that emerging technologies can be used in ways that threaten their safety and well-being. Clear regulations can help prevent such dangers. Participants also explored the ethical boundaries and practical applications of artificial intelligence in education, discussing a growing trend: the use of chatbots as virtual friends. They examined the needs of young people that drive them to seek companionship and communication via chatbots, as well as the risks this phenomenon may pose to children’s well-being and their ability to build healthy relationships. Discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration and the involvement of private sector companies in ensuring a safer digital environment for children by supporting and implementing innovative solutions to combat online child sexual abuse. Since 2022, the International Center “La Strada” has held the status of a specialized center for online safety, as part of the European “Better Internet for Kids+” network, coordinated by the European Commission. This year’s visit was made possible with the support of the Safe Online Global Fund.

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