Meeting in Strasbourg on 7-8 October 2025, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the Prevention of Violence (ENF-VAE) agreed on a draft Recommendation urging member states to protect children from violence through age-appropriate, comprehensive sexuality education.  

The draft Recommendation which reflects views of consulted children and other stakeholders, will be presented to the Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF) at its 13th Plenary meeting on 19-21 November 2025. 

The ENF-VAE Committee also began work on an Explanatory Memorandum to guide member states in implementing the Recommendation.

These future standards aim to ensure that children learn not only the biological aspects of reproduction, but also the social, cultural, psychological and emotional aspects of relationships and sexuality in an age-appropriate manner, thus contributing to prevent and protect children from violence. 

The next meeting of the Committee is set for 19–20 March 2026 in Strasbourg. 
 

Meeting report will be available on ENF-VAE's website soon.