Lithuania has ratified today the Lanzarote Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (CETS No. 201), during a ceremony with the Ambassador  Gediminas ŠERKŠNYS (Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe) 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. Lithuania is the 26th country that has ratified the Convention. The text will take effect in the Baltic state on August 1st. 

Lithuania and the Council of Europe