The Council of Europe Project “Protecting the rights of Ukrainian children and ensuring child-friendly justice" launches the HELP e-learning course in Ukrainian on "Protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse" in cooperation with the National School of Judges of Ukraine and Prosecutors’ Training Center of Ukraine. The course aims to enhance the knowledge of legal, justice and other professionals in Ukraine about this phenomenon and the ways to effectively address it.
In the context of ratification by Ukraine of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, commonly known as the Lanzarote Convention, this course was developed in 2024 for legal professionals aiming at capacity building among professionals working with children in Ukraine. This course is designed to enhance the knowledge of the nature of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, taking into account the specific challenges posed by the war of aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, as well as to develop practical skills of effective response to such violations.
“The course represents an important step in building capacities of professionals to ensure proper implementation of the Lanzarote Convention. This translates to a better understanding of the principles and processes that need to come into effect whenever Ukrainian children are subject to sexual abuse and the roles that each of the institutions needs to play according to the interdisciplinary principles of the Convention.” – underlined Maciej JANCZAK, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, in his welcome address to participants.
Throughout the training Ukrainian judges and prosecutors will receive support and mentorship from three national certified HELP trainers-tutors:
- Georgii POPOV, National Expert of the Council of Europe, Doctor of Law;
- Tetyana SHEVYRINA, National Expert of the Council of Europe, Judge at the Ochakiv City District Court of Ukraine;
- Lesia MEDYNSKA, National Expert of the Council of Europe, Prosecutor of the Department for Protection of Children’s Interests, Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
This comprehensive 5-weeks training program is designed to enhance participants’ awareness and promote a modern understanding and application of violence prevention mechanisms by legal professionals, protection of affected children, and holding perpetrators accountable. Special attention is paid to successful examples and best practices in implementing international standards in member-states and inter-agency cooperation in ensuring the comprehensive protection of Ukrainian children.
Participants will also become familiar with recent changes in Ukrainian legislation regarding protection of children’s rights, as well as with tools that facilitate effective and comprehensive responses to sexual violence and exploitation of children, while ensuring the implementation of the principles of the best interests of children, children’s participation, equal treatment, and the rule of law.
The Council of Europe Project “Protecting the rights of Ukrainian children and ensuring child-friendly justice” is implemented by the Council of Europe in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine ‘Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction’ for 2023-2026.
