European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse History

European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse is aimed at raising awareness of the need to protect and safeguard children from these heinous crimes. The day highlights the importance of promoting a safe environment for children across Europe, encouraging governments and societies to adopt the necessary measures to prevent and combat these forms of abuse. It also emphasizes the importance of education, training, and communication in facilitating a better understanding of the issues and building a strong, coordinated response to address them.

The Council of Europe inaugurated this observance on November 18, 2011, choosing the date following the adoption of the Lanzarote Convention. The Lanzarote Convention is a legally binding instrument designed to battle child sexual abuse and exploitation in the form of prostitution, pornography, or other means. The day has gained considerable significance, as instances of child sexual exploitation and abuse persist, requiring robust, cross-border cooperation between countries in implementing effective policies and practices. This cooperation also includes sharing valuable information and resources, and ensuring victims or potential victims receive appropriate support.

Citizens, civil society organizations, and public authorities participate in seminars, workshops, and campaigns to spread the message of prevention and protection while eliminating the stigma associated with these crimes. These activities foster a collective commitment among European citizens to strive toward eradicating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse is observed annually on November 18th.

Top facts and quotes about European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

• The Lanzarote Convention (or the Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse) requires the criminalisation of all kinds of sexual offences against children. All 47 Council of Europe states have signed the Convention.
• Sexual abuse (20.7%) is second only to physical abuse (28.3%) in prevalence according to a study from the CDC/Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences study
• A person's a person, no matter how small. — Dr. Seuss
• Child sexual exploitation or sexual abuse is never the fault of the child, but in most cases the feeling of shame and stigma prevent children from disclosing their trauma before adulthood. - Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, 2023.
  Sexual assault against children is an urgent human rights issue and fighting it should be a political priority - Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, 2011
• Sexual assault against children is an urgent human rights issue and fighting it should be a political priority - Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, 2011

In the News and Trending for European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse Top Things to Do

• Volunteer your time or make a donation to one of the numerous charities that work to protect vulnerable children. They run emergency phone lines and offer care to those in danger. Barnardo’s in the UK, ChildRight in the Netherlands or Save The Children (global) are well-known organizations that could use your help.
• Learn to recognise the signs of abuse and report them if you suspect someone might be in danger. The NSPCC lists the following as some recognisable sings.
  Recognisable signs include:
  1) Poor appearance and hygiene
  2) Poor language or social skills
  3) Inadequate clothing- e.g. not having a warm coat in winter
• Tweet using the hashtag #everydaysexism to draw awareness to the ingrained prejudices women face everyday.
• Learn more about this difficult subject by reading some books about abuse survivors stories. Some of our top picks: Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and Its Aftereffects in Women - E. Sue Blume, The Courage to Heal - Ellen Bass and Laura Davis, Healing the Child Within - Charles L. Whitfield M.D.
• Watch a film that touches on the troubling topics of sex slavery and human trafficking. Some popular films include, Not My Life (2010), Redlight (2009), Lilya-4-Ever and Call + Response (2008).