In order to synchronize national provisions and actions with international standards, as well as to identify gaps in ensuring children’s access to justice and providing effective legal remedies in a timely manner, on 25 November, La Strada, in collaboration with ECPAT International, organized a workshop on the topic “Access to justice and effective remedies for child victims of sexual exploitation in Moldova”.
It took place in the context in which international standards and national provisions on ensuring children’s access to justice and providing effective legal remedies in a timely manner is the obligation of each state. It involves mechanisms and services focused on the child’s best interests, restorative justice and friendly rehabilitation services that will allow the child, based on complex approaches and special programs, to return to a healthy life.
Attending the event, Daniela Misail-Nichitin, secretary of state, stressed the importance of identifying feasible solutions for Moldova, with the perspective of identifying resources that would allow the development of services for vulnerable beneficiaries: “In this regard, several actions and provisions were carried out, one of which appears in the draft law on ensuring the rights of victims in case of sex crimes and domestic violence, voted in the Parliament on 17 November. Respectively, all children up to 18 years old are to be heard in friendly conditions with the involvement of specially trained professionals.”
According to Elena Botezatu, director of La Strada, the availability of national mechanisms for reporting cases of sexual abuse, child-friendly justice, access to damages, compensation and recovery and reintegration services create the necessary prerogatives to ensure restorative justice for children. One of the key elements missing at the moment is the availability of a mechanism for reporting child sexual abuse material, which would ensure the possibility to report allegedly illegal materials anonymously. La Strada continues to work with national and international partners to finalize the mechanism for reporting child sexual abuse material, which will be launched shortly.
According to the National Program for Child Protection for 2022-2026 and other policy documents, national authorities have to go through and accomplish several tasks. The relevant ministries and their subdivisions, in collaboration with non-governmental associations and with the support of development partners, make efforts to develop other standards and practices aimed at contributing to the prevention and combating of child abuse, as well as ensuring effective child protection.
This event was organized in partnership with ECPAT International, as part of the project “Access to justice for child victims and survivors of sexual exploitation”, part of the international initiative A2J.