The increasing use by children of information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as social media, mobile messaging applications and online games, has created new opportunities for sexual offenders to target and harm children. The physical and psychological impact on victims of these offences can be profound and long-lasting. There also is a high risk of repeat victimisation, as child sexual abuse material, such as images and videos, often continue to circulate online long after the actual physical sexual abuse.
In order to support the authorities of Mauritius in addressing online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA), a two-day capacity building workshop was organised in Mauritius by the Attorney General's Office, in cooperation with the Council of Europe and the EU Delegation. The event was attended by 35 representatives of institutions involved in tracking, investigating and prosecuting OCSEA offences: the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, members of the judiciary, the Police, the Police Training School, the Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius, the Ministry of Gender, Equality and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Infrastructure of Technology. The opening session was delivered by the Attorney General of Mauritius, the Solicitor General of Mauritius and the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and to the Republic of Seychelles, whilst the US Department of Justice addressed the audience with concluding remarks.
Council of Europe experts highlighted the importance of criminal justice authorities to be equipped with the necessary legal and technical tools for effective investigations and collection of electronic evidence. Measures specifically related to child victims of OCSEA were also raised, in addition to mechanisms for efficient international cooperation. Participants shared cases, as well as updates on legislative developments, and discussed steps to improve the protection of children and the investigation and prosecution of offenders.
Through the Octopus Project, the Council of Europe will continue to support Mauritius through capacity building activities in line the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and the Lanzarote Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention
Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention)