The topic of “Educational measures to prevent risks associated with child self-generated sexual images/videos” was addressed in a very informative and practical webinar which was organised by the Council of Europe Project EndOCSEA @ Europe and the Children’s Rights Division. It took place on 12 November 2020 on the occasion of the 2020 edition of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (18 November) which focused on "preventing risky behaviour by children: child self-generated sexual images and/or videos".
The fruitful discussions, which were led by Ms Christel De Craim, Chairperson of the Lanzarote Committee and Ms Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights together with experts Ms Amy Crocker and Ms Maria Rosaria Centrone, paved the way to further action to prevent risks online that are generated by the behaviour of children themselves and protect them better. It was clearly highlighted that efforts should be mobilised to improve the capacity and role of schools in educating children, including young ones, with a comprehensive curricula that is adapted to the needs of children in today’s environment and bearing in mind that “taboos around sexuality are predators’ best allies”.
The Commissioner for Human Rights stated that “comprehensive sexuality education means that it is about cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality. It goes beyond biology and reproduction and truly equips children with knowledge about their bodies and their rights, while also teaching them about gender equality, sexual orientations and gender identities. This is necessary for children to feel good about themselves and to develop safe and respectful social and sexual relationships throughout their lives.”
This event online was an opportunity to remind the wider community of the requirement of the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (the Lanzarote Convention) to work with parents and the education community to empower children to say “no”, "to recognise and assess risks and to report harm.”
Acknowledgements:
The Council of Europe gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided for this programme by the End Violence Fund.
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