The International Centre La Strada International Centre, in partnership with the National Agency for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Violence in the Family (ANPCV), today launched the training series “Integrated Response and Intervention of Multidisciplinary Teams in Cases of Sexual Violence against Adult Victims”, aimed at professionals involved in managing and addressing such cases. The first workshop took place in the Nisporeni district. The training is based on a dedicated module on sexual violence included in the National Training Programme for Multidisciplinary Team Specialists, implemented by ANPCV. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of specialists from various sectors to ensure a coordinated, effective, and survivor-centred response to cases of sexual violence. Participants will explore topics related to the legal framework and international standards, the impact of trauma on victims, trauma-informed communication, the culture of consent, and mechanisms for interinstitutional cooperation. The programme includes sessions focusing on different forms of sexual violence, victims’ rights and legal safeguards, addressing myths and stereotypes that hinder case reporting, as well as the application of the intervention algorithm designed to reduce the risk of revictimisation, ensure the collection of forensic evidence, and refer victims to specialised support services. At the opening of the event, Cristina Deliu, Programme Director of the International Centre “La Strada”, highlighted that sexual violence represents one of the most serious violations of human rights, and that a prompt and professional response from responsible institutions is essential to ensuring victims’ protection and their access to justice and support services. “Strengthening cooperation among relevant institutions contributes to creating an integrated and effective response based on respect for the rights and dignity of survivors,” Cristina Deliu emphasised. Galina Nița, Head of the Professional Training and Methodological Support Section within ANPCV, stated that through the organisation of this training series, the National Agency for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Violence in the Family reaffirms its commitment to supporting the development of professionals’ skills and promoting victim-centred intervention practices in line with international standards and national legislation. Similar trainings will be organised in other districts across the country. The events are organised by the International Centre “La Strada”, in partnership with the National Agency for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, with the support of KVINFO.

The International Center “La Strada”, together with representatives of its institutional partners—the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Ministry of Education and Research—participated on 9 June 2026 in the FOSI European Forum 2026, organized by the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) and hosted by Google in Brussels, Belgium. Held under the theme “Finding Common Ground,” this year’s edition brought together policymakers, researchers, regulators, representatives of leading technology companies, industry leaders, and civil society organizations from across Europe and beyond. The Forum aimed to foster a shared approach to online safety and digital responsibility while strengthening cooperation among key stakeholders in the field. The event agenda featured expert presentations and practical discussions grounded in evidence and real-world experience, addressing key online safety issues at the heart of the European agenda. Topics included tools and mechanisms for protecting children and young people in the digital environment, developments in regulatory frameworks and the implementation of new digital policies, technological innovation and user-centered solutions, as well as perspectives on the future of digital citizenship and support for families online. The format brought together viewpoints from policymakers, industry representatives, civil society organizations, young people, and parents, encouraging collaborative and cross-sectoral solutions. Representatives of European institutions and regulatory authorities presented the latest developments in the digital legislative framework, including the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the AI Act, as well as related initiatives on age verification and digital tools designed to enhance user protection. Discussions highlighted the dynamic nature of an evolving regulatory ecosystem, where effective implementation of policies is just as important as their design. The technological dimension of digital responsibility, commitments undertaken, measures implemented to strengthen the protection of child users, and emerging challenges in this area were addressed by representatives of major global technology companies and digital platforms, including Google, TikTok, Netflix, OpenAI, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Roblox, and YouTube, all of which were represented at the event. Civil society representatives also participated in the discussions, emphasizing the need for concrete measures to strengthen the protection of vulnerable groups in the online environment. They reiterated the importance of holding industries accountable and implementing mandatory actions—including transparency measures, impact assessment reporting, safety-by-design principles, and support for parents and caregivers—to reduce the risks children may face when interacting with products and services available on the market, while preserving their access to the benefits of the digital world. Young people were likewise invited to the discussion table alongside decision-makers, enabling the latter to better understand how online safety is perceived and experienced directly by children and adolescents, beyond regulatory frameworks. This session included members of the TikTok Global Youth Council, an international coalition of young people whose role is to help make TikTok a safer platform for users under the age of 18. The Forum also provided a valuable platform for exchanging experiences and best practices regarding current digital challenges, including the impact of Artificial Intelligence on children, young people, and families. The participation of the International Center “La Strada” and its partners in this event provided an important opportunity to engage with European and international discussions and emerging trends in online safety, while strengthening the partnerships necessary for developing effective policies and interventions that benefit children and families in our country. The insights and conclusions gained from the Forum will contribute to the further development of the Digital Safety Center of Moldova, coordinated by the International Center “La Strada” in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the General Police Inspectorate.

On Denim Day (“Jeans Day”), the community of Nisporeni came together for a solidarity march in support of victims and survivors of sexual violence. The message “My power is to believe survivors of sexual harassment” united the community and is part of the national campaign “The Power of Example,” carried out under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Moldova. Approximately 100 women, men, young people, and professionals from various fields took part in the march, wearing jeans and carrying banners with messages aimed at combating sexual violence and demonstrating the importance of leading by example in supporting survivors. The march began at the Monument of Stephen the Great and Holy in the locality and continued to the city’s central park, where participants marked the sidewalks with the Women and Girls Helpline number — 0 8008 8008 — helping to raise public awareness of available support services for survivors of sexual violence. Along the route, participants also distributed information about the Regional Integrated Service for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Ungheni. The service provides free medical, forensic, psychological, legal, and social assistance under one roof and covers six districts: Ungheni, Călărași, Telenești, Fălești, Sîngerei, and Nisporeni. The manager of the Regional Integrated Service for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Ungheni municipality, Cristina Ghizdari, stated during the event that this mobilization demonstrates that people in Nisporeni district choose not to remain silent in the face of the painful reality of sexual violence. “This initiative helps break the silence, encourages reporting of cases, and shows that support and empathy for survivors exist.” The event was financially supported by the European Union through the #EVOLVE4GE project and organized by the International Center “La Strada,” with the support of UN Women Moldova. Background: Denim Day, observed annually on the last Wednesday of April, has a history of over 30 years and symbolizes solidarity with survivors of sexual violence, as well as protest against stereotypes and prejudices that can hinder access to justice. The initiative began in 1992, following a controversial ruling by the Supreme Court of Italy that overturned a rape conviction, sparking public protests and a global solidarity movement. Since April 2018, Denim Day has also been marked in the Republic of Moldova, at the initiative of the International Center “La Strada.” In March 2023, UN Women Moldova, in partnership with local public authorities and civil society, established the first Regional Integrated Service for Survivors of Sexual Violence, with financial support from the European Union. The service, piloted by the International Center “La Strada,” provides survivors with access to medical care, forensic expertise, psychosocial and legal assistance, as well as psychological evaluation services, all in a single location. Since its launch, 115 survivors of sexual violence have received support. Service contact numbers: 0785 17 327 | 0784 95 866.

International Center “La Strada,” together with other representatives of European Safer Internet Centres, including specialists from reporting services (hotlines) and counselling services (helplines), online safety experts, and numerous decision-makers, is participating from 14 to 16 April in the annual joint training meeting of the Insafe and INHOPE networks, held this year in Jūrmala, Latvia. In the context of rapidly evolving technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), the event aims to strengthen cooperation among members of the two international networks specializing in children’s online safety. This is pursued through a joint assessment and analysis of the most recent challenges faced in this field, as well as the identification of the most effective ways in which Safer Internet Centres (SICs) can respond to these risks in order to better protect children and young people in the digital environment. How do emerging AI-based technologies influence the online safety of children, adolescents, and young people, and what risks are associated with the use of chatbots as virtual companions—particularly in the context of the growing generation of illegal content such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or so-called “deepnude” images? What innovative methods can be used to enhance the digital empowerment of Generations Z and Alpha, what role can gamification play in this process, how can research findings from helplines, hotlines, and empowerment centres be leveraged to improve interventions in the field, and how can international cooperation be strengthened through the exchange of best practices within the network? These are just some of the key topics addressed during this year’s Insafe–INHOPE joint meeting. Within the framework of the event, the first day (14 April) was primarily dedicated to hotline services. The International Center “La Strada,” as a full member of the network, took part in an important decision-making process regarding the accession of two new countries to the INHOPE network. On the same day, the organization’s team also participated in a series of thematic training workshops on children’s online safety, as well as in valuable networking sessions. The meeting continued on the second and third days with an in-depth exploration of the topics introduced at the outset of the event, through a programme of practical workshops designed to foster dialogue and collaboration among professionals in the field. These activities focused on presenting national initiatives and facilitating the exchange of experience, contributing to the development of joint strategies for combating online risks and enabling learning from best practices implemented in other countries. The participation of the International Center “La Strada” team in this event was made possible thanks to the support of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children Fund – Safe Online. We also recall that, since 2022, the International Center “La Strada” has held the status of a specialized Safer Internet Centre, being part of the European “Better Internet for Kids+” network, coordinated by the European Commission.