At its 45th plenary meeting (2-3 July 2025, Sliema, Malta), the Lanzarote Committee (Committee of Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse) adopted two reports addressed to the 48 State Parties highlighting promising practices and identifying recommendations to strengthen the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
The meeting was hosted by the Maltese authorities and opened by Hon. Michael Falzon, Minister for Social Policy and Children of Malta. He recalled that a Declaration on the 15th anniversary of the entry into force of the Lanzarote Convention was adopted by all State Parties participating in the Informal Conference of Ministers that took place on 1 July 2025 in Valletta, Malta. The Committee agreed on several priority actions to follow up on the Declaration.
The implementation report on the “Protection of children against sexual abuse in the circle of trust: legal frameworks” provides key insights into the steps States have taken to protect children against sexual abuse by a person in a recognised position of trust, authority or influence. The Committee decided to return to this theme given that it is estimated that up to 80% of child sexual abuse is committed by individuals the child knows and trusts. The Lanzarote Committee urges States to enact comprehensive legislation that criminalises the sexual abuse of children of all ages by individuals in a recognised position of trust, authority, or influence, addresses harmful sexual behaviours between children and protects child victims against re-victimisation during investigations and criminal proceedings. This report is part of the 3rd monitoring round which was launched in June 2023.
The second report “Data collection mechanisms on child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse” takes stock of national mechanisms in place to observe and evaluate the phenomenon of child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. This is crucial to ensure evidence-based policy making and to prevent re-offending. The report is based on a survey adopted by the Committee in February 2024.
Calls for Tenders
