Since 2015 the Council of Europe has declared the 18th of November as the European Day on the Protection
of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. All children have the
right to live a life free from such abuse which may have long lasting effects
on them.
This year, the European Day will focus on “Empowering
Children to Stop Sexual Violence”. Children are all too often sidelined from matters that
concern them. They should be given the means, space, opportunity and support to
participate in the design and implementation of measures, policies, programmes
or other initiatives aiming at preventing and responding to sexual exploitation
and sexual abuse.
Also
in light of the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, the Office of the Commissioner for Children would like to call on
all entities and organisations as well as all professionals, educators, parents
and volunteers to implement each and every child’s right to participation as
enshrined in the Convention. It
is the responsibility of all adults to ensure child participation in all
decisions made that affect them both directly and indirectly.
Children should, from an early age, be taught about what kind of behaviour can lead to abuse. Over the next
few days the Office will be distributing a copy of Kiko and the Hand, a Council
of Europe publication, to all children in Kinder 1. This is a story book for
children, with an insert for parents, which aims to help parents to engage in
discussions with their children about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
It is estimated that about one third of abused children do not speak up.
Therefore, the Office emphasises the importance of adults supporting children
to report such abuse. Whoever is aware of any abuse being perpetrated against
children, should report it. This can be done by calling supportline 179.