Measures to reduce girls’ vulnerability to violence in cyberspace, discussed with members of children’s rights protection councils

Between 30 November and 9 December, 120 children’s rights protection specialists participated in regional workshops on the topic “Measures to reduce girls’ vulnerability to violence in cyberspace”. The three workshops were organized by the State Chancellery as part of the information campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”.

The participants examined cases of violence against children that took place in cyberspace, together with specialists from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Internal Affairs, representatives of the Republican Center for Psycho-pedagogical Assistance and of the free telephone service “Child’s Phone -116111”. The discussions were also attended by members of district, municipal and local children’s rights protection councils, including secretaries of advisory bodies.

The workshops addressed the specifics of assistance and protection services for child victims of cyber violence, and the participants got acquainted with recommendations for intervention in crimes committed with the use of information and communication technologies. In this context, particular attention was given to measures for identification of cases of cyber violence, prompt reporting and response, centered on ensuring the principle of best interests of the child.

The online safety studies conducted in Moldova show an increasing use of the internet, with girls being particularly exposed to various risks. This suggests the need to develop complex actions of involving educational institutions, families and civil society organizations in informing and creating competences that will help them adopt a responsible behavior, surf the internet without risk and report cases of abuse.

The events were organized in collaboration with the International Center La Strada.