The implementation of the provisions of the Lanzarote Convention is only beginning in the Republic of Moldova

Between February 20-21, 2018, the Ministry of the Interior, in partnership with the Council of Europe and the International Center „La Strada”, organized a roundtable entitled "The implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse: Challenges and Good Practices" .

The event was attended by members of the Lanzarote Committee, international and national experts within national and international authorities, NGOs, representatives of the private sector and academic environment.

The key topics discussed were the cooperation between the institutions involved in the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention, the prevention of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of the child and the strengthening of the capacities of professionals in contact with the law; criminalization and prosecution of offenses recognized by the Convention, protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse facilitated by information and communication technologies.

Roundtable participants concluded that the situation in the Republic of Moldova has not changed much in comparison with previous years in terms of preventing child abuse and sexual exploitation, especially through ICT. The curriculum program approaches very general and selective topics about sexuality and the risks of online behaviours. Neither parents have enough knowledge and skills to tell their children about the safe use of the internet, but also about the existing reporting and protection tools. On the other hand, the programs of initial and continuous training of social and educational specialists do not provide the minimum set of knowledge and skills to work with children victims of abuse and sexual exploitation. Some deficiencies were also emphasised in achieving the justice act and defending the rights and interests of child victims throughout the criminal proceedings.

A more detailed report of the main conclusions and recommendations of roundtable works can be accessed here.

We remind that the Republic of Moldova signed in 2007 the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. The "Lanzarote Convention", as it is called, ratified by more than 20 countries from those 47 Council of Europe, entered into force on July 1, 2010 and for the Republic of Moldova on July 1, 2012.