Although we have a green light, we are brought to a stand and are failing to protect children from sexual abuse and sexual exploitation

 In the context of the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, La Strada remind the need for a special approach to the problem of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children (CSESA).

We remind that at the end of last year, we find in the thematic report serious gaps in the protection and assistance of children who have suffered from sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. One year after the presentation, we return with a public assessment tool (we call it the "Lanzarote Semaphore") the current status quo for each category of measures undertaken by our country to protect children from sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. At first sight, for any reader, even without going too much in essence, it becomes clear that the yellow and red colours prevail, indicating insufficient state measures or their total lack.

The specialists from the Children's Program of the International Center "La Strada" come to explain the more accurate causes of this worrying assessment. They believe that in order to move forward in this area, authorities need to take into account at least three important issues.

Firstly, it is necessary to apply special measures to CSESA victims. It is for this reason that, four years ago, the day of November 18 was set up to understand that efforts to inform or raise awareness about child abuse are generally not enough. And information actions on the safe use of information technologies and the development of digital skills do not fully meet the CSESA prevention goal if they are not centred on the child's need to be protected from sexual abuse, whether online or offline.

Elena BOTEZATU, Director of the Children's Program, La Strada, explains what a competent approach of sexual abuse cases on child means: "Certainly, these children must be approached differently. We need an education tailored to the need to prevent the risks of sexual abuse, services and specialists who know the specificities of CSESA cases and how to interact with these children. We want to educate citizens who are sensitive to the realities of CSESA and who know where to address when they notice some worrying signals".

Secondly, state efforts must be systemic and continuous. In order to reduce the number of CSESA cases, sporadic activities are not sufficient in the framework of projects funded by external partners. However, the consistent actions and the efforts strategically planned at this moment are totally lacking in the Republic of Moldova. 

Thirdly, let us not forget that the provisions of the Convention should not be interpreted merely as obligations imposed on the Republic of Moldova, and their implementation should not be done solely for the sake of reporting, for a better image of the country on foreign field. This instrument proposes, in fact, a comprehensive approach, but also concrete actions to protect children against sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, setting clear lines of action. The authorities only have to choose how they prefer to honour their commitments. When the state comes to such an understanding of the commitments assumed by ratification of the Convention, the rhythm of implementation and results also will be different.

More details about cases of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children attended by La Strada experts can be found here. 

Informative note: Following the presentation of the study "Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children. The Implementation of the Lanzarote Convention by the Republic of Moldova ", the associate expert at the Lanzarote Committee, Maria José de Figuerola Frazão de Castello-Branco, has drawn up on her own initiative a document that schematically represents by colours, the level of implementation of the Convention by the Republic of Moldova in different sectors. In cooperation with the expert, with her agreement, we publish this document today, stating that it is a personal opinion of her, which does not reflect the official position of the Lanzarote Committee on ESASC in the Republic of Moldova.