Republic of Moldova

Protecting children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in the Republic of Moldova

Project summary

Context

The Republic of Moldova ratified the Lanzarote Convention in 2011. The Committee of the Parties to the Convention, also known as the Lanzarote Committee, is charged with monitoring the implementation of the Convention. The Republic of Moldova participated in the 1st monitoring round dedicated to the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in the circle of trust (2014-2018) and is currently taking part in the 2nd monitoring round on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse facilitated by information and communication technologies (2017).

Other important standards taken into consideration during the life of the project include the Council of Europe Guidelines on child-friendly justice (2010) and the Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on Guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment.

The project itself promotes the implementation of these international standards and builds on the progress and work already carried out at national level. Relevant national standards and policies include the Law no. 338 of 15.12.1994 on the rights of the child, Decision No. 434 of 10.06.2014 on the approval of the Child Protection Strategy for the years 2014-2020, the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2017-2020, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of the Roundtable “Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse: Challenges and Best Practices”.

Objectives

The overall objective of the project is to support the Republic of Moldova by strengthening the State’s response to address child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse through an increased implementation and compliance of policies, legislation and practices with the Council of Europe and other international standards in this area, in particular the Lanzarote Convention, as well as by strengthening the capacities of relevant professionals and raising awareness.

The project’s expected results and activities build on the findings of the Lanzarote Committee and the outcomes of the roundtable jointly organised jointly by the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova (February 2018) to discuss ongoing challenges and good practices for an efficient implementation of the Lanzarote Convention.

More detailed information on the Programme hub page of the Council of Europe Chisinau office

News on the Republic of Moldova

Back Stakeholders and experts exploring ways to strengthen the coordination and implementation mechanisms of the Lanzarote Convention in the Republic of Moldova

Stakeholders and experts exploring ways to strengthen the coordination and implementation mechanisms of the Lanzarote Convention in the Republic of Moldova

A field research mission of the mapping study on the effective implementation of the Lanzarote Convention in the Republic of Moldova concludes today by a de-briefing workshop organised for key stakeholders in Chisinau by the Council of Europe project on Protecting children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in the Republic of Moldova. The mapping aims notably at contributing towards consensus building around key child protection system priorities related to sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.

This week international and national experts of the Council of Europe have met with representatives of Ministries of Justice; Internal Affairs; Health, Labour and Social Protection; Education, Culture and Research as well as Supreme Court of Justice, General Prosecutor’s Office, People’s Advocate, civil society, international organisations and professionals working with and for children.

The mapping exercise focuses on how the Moldovan national child protection system responds to the needs of children at risk or victims of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and on how institutions cooperate and coordinate work when developing and implementing the national laws and policies. It aims at identifying legislative and policy gaps, implementation challenges but also lessons learned and promising practices. Findings and recommendations of the study will be available and discussed by the end of 2019.

The Lanzarote Convention is the most advanced and comprehensive legally binding instrument at international level on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. The Republic of Moldova ratified the Convention in 2011, participated in the first monitoring round dedicated to the protection of children against sexual abuse in the circle of trust (2014-2018) and is currently taking part in the second monitoring round on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse facilitated by information and communication technologies (2017).

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova 31 May 2019