The pace of development of information technologies, the increasing number of cases of grooming of minors for sexual purposes and the lack of mechanisms for reporting child sexual abuse material are the challenges faced by authorities investigating cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

In this regard, the Council of Europe project "Preventing and protecting children from violence including in the digital environment in the Republic of Moldova" organised a workshop on 19 October 2022 where they addressed the challenges of preventing and combating online sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police Inspectorate, the Ministry of Economy, the National Centre for Personal Data Protection, as well as representatives of the private IT sector and the National Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology Regulation, etc.

Council of Europe consultants John Carr, who specialises in internet safety and security advice, and Elena Botezatu, the national consultant, presented international standards on online safety for children, challenges and best practices for preventing and combating child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse online.  Implementation of technical tools in networks or apps and awareness-raising programmes in schools, communities and among targeted professionals are among the best practices indicated by the experts. They also referred to the The Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention) and the Handbook for policy makers on the rights of the child in the digital environment, which offer strong standards and instruments for authorities and private sector companies in supporting the protection and prevention of online sexual exploitation of children.

Council of Europe international expert John Carr, in his speech, spoke about the push factors that lead to sexual offences: "The biggest challenge we face today is the online exposure of children. Our lives, and especially children's lives, have been reconfigured around digital technology. The responsibility for protecting children lies with us and with private sector companies that create entertainment for children."

Speaking about trends in online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, Council of Europe consultant Elena Botezatu referred to the increasing percentage of children aged 13-15 who become victims of online sexual abuse; the platforms used to lure minors are constantly changing and the modus operandi of abuse is constantly changing, leading to new forms of abuse.

The aim of the Council of Europe project is to strengthen the response to violence against children, including online sexual exploitation and abuse of children.  This activity falls under the Project’s intermediate outcome 1 “Law enforcement and the judicial sector effectively investigate and prosecute child sexual abuse cases in a child-friendly manner and according to European standards”.