On the occasion of the European Day on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, on 18 November, Congress President Gudrun Mosler-Törnström, and five Congress members made statements. The objectives of the European Day are to raise public awareness, facilitate open discussion on the protection of children and to promote the ratification and implementation of the Lanzarote Convention. “The Congress has been deeply involved with this issue for many years; we have worked to raise awareness of the need to prevent abuse at the local and regional level” stated the Congress President. Launched in 2015 by the Committee of Ministers, the European Day adds on to the work carried out by the Council of Europe and its member states in the framework of the ONE in FIVE Campaign to stop sexual violence against children, which ended in November 2015. “When the Council of Europe One in Five Campaign started, we launched a Pact of towns and regions to stop sexual violence against children, including a toolkit available in 37 languages, which serves as a forum of exchange of good experiences. We need to go forward in this direction!” the President added. 

Statements by Congress members - 18 November European Day
18 November European Day webpage
Congress ONE in FIVE Campaign
Pact of towns and regions to stop sexual violence against children
Council of Europe ONE in FIVE Campaign
Lanzarote Convention