Ensuring an effective framework for the protection of children from all forms of violence and ensure child-friendly justice
What is the goal and objective of the project
The project objective is to further strengthen the response of Republic of Moldova to violence against children, including sexual abuse and exploitation, and ensure child-friendly justice.
It will focus on providing further support in revising and developing key guidelines/protocols and materials for the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Through the promotion of a child friendly approach across legal, judicial and education sectors, the project aims to create a strong framework for safeguarding children from violence, protecting and promoting their rights, and ensuring a justice system that is responsive to specific needs of children.
The Project builds upon the successful implementation of the 3 previous phases “Protecting children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in the Republic of Moldova” (2018-2020), “Combating violence against children in the Republic of Moldova” (2020 - 2021) and “Preventing and protecting children from violence including in the digital environment in the Republic of Moldova” (2022-2024).
The project is implemented by the Children’s Rights Division in cooperation with the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau under the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028.
Funding - 1 500 000 EUR - Project financed by the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for 2025-2028
Duration of the project: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2028
Who benefits from the project?
- Teachers and educators
- Criminal investigation officers and other legal professionals
- Law enforcement officials
- Civil Society Organisations
- Ombudsperson's office
- Prison and probation staff
- Judiciary and law enforcement agencies in the Republic of Moldova
- Social workers
- Staff of IT and ISP companies
How does the action work?
The project activities will involve beneficiary institutions, and its outcomes will be achieved through coordinated efforts with all relevant authorities and partners. An inter-institutional approach will ensure that all key stakeholders are effectively taking part in implementing the activities.
What do we expect to achieve?
- Improved legislation, policies, and practices to better respect, protect and promote the rights of the child, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights on the Child and relevant Council of Europe standards.
- Strengthened capacity of national authorities to protect and promote the rights of the child and effectively implement the National Programme for Child Protection 2022-2026 and subsequent national programms.
- Enhanced access to justice for child victims, and child-friendly procedures for children in contact with the law, adapting the judicial processes to the needs of minors.
- Improved and tailored rehabilitation services for children in conflict with the law.
- Increased engagement of children in elaborating and implementing policy frameworks and initiatives related to the protection of children’s rights.
- Improved capacities of criminal justice professionals involved in multidisciplinary interagency response to (sexual) abuse against children (such as the Barnahus model).
- Strengthened frameworks and capacities of professionals working in the child protection system, including migration, guardianship, and refugee services.
- Raised public awareness on the protection of children’s rights in the Republic of Moldova.
Reference documents
- Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse: EN
- Council of Europe Guidelines on child-friendly justice (2010): EN
- Convention on Cybercrime (ETS No. 185): EN
- 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: EN
- Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)11 of the Committee of Ministers to member stated on Effective guardianship for unaccompanied and separated children in the context of migration and Explanatory Memorandum: EN
- Guidance Note on addressing the risks of trafficking in human beings related to the war in Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis: EN
Developed resources and publications by categories:
For children
For parents/caregivers
For professionals
- Kiko and the Hand - Training for trainers manual - EN
- Guidelines for policy makers on engaging with victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse – “Nothing About Us Without Us" - EN
- Peer review of the “Law no. 299 on services the measures and services provided to children in conflict with the law in Republic of Moldova” - EN
- Methodology to support the appointed National Specialized Lanzarote Commission for the Coordination and Monitoring of the Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention) in the Republic of Moldova (available only in Romanian language)
- Lanzarote Committee Checklist and Handbook for protection of children in emergency and crisis - EN
- Analysis of online child sexual exploitation and abuse legislation on accountability and social responsibility of private sector (available only in Romanian language)
- Training Handbook “An Introduction To The Juvenile Sex Offender” for National Probation Inspectorate (available only in Romanian language)
- Training Handbook “Working With Children In Conflict With The Law” for National Penitentiaries Administration staff (available in Romanian language)
- The Study on Perceptions of Human Rights in Moldova, including focus groups with children on their perception of violence – available only in Romanian language
- The ex-post impact evaluation of the <Law no. 299 on the measures and services provided to children in conflict with the law under the age of criminal responsibility in Moldova> - available only in Romanian language
- The report on Mapping of services available for children in conflict with law in the Republic of Moldova and the good practices from Council of Europe member states – available only in Romanian language
- Study on good practices for assisting children with mental health disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and substance abuse – available only in Romanian language
- Practical guide for the implementation of the inter-sectoral cooperation mechanism for the identification, assessment, referral, assistance, and monitoring of child victims and potential victims of violence, neglect, exploitation, and trafficking - in Romanian language.
Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe Strasbourg
Council of Europe Office in Chisinau
