Latvia has signed today the Lanzarote Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (CETS No. 201), during a ceremony with the Minister of Justice, Janis Bordans and the Deputy Secretary General, Gabriella Battaini Dragoni.  This Convention is the first legal instrument to establish various forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offences, including such abuse committed at home or in the family, with the use of force, coercion or threats.

The text also envisages programmes to support victims, encouraging people to report suspected sexual exploitation and abuse, with a set-up of telephone and internet helplines for children.

Programme: "Building a Europe for and with children"