The Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Committee – the body that helps countries protect children from sexual abuse by monitoring implementation of the Council of Europe’s Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse – has published its 10th activity report. This year’s special edition marks the 15th anniversary of the Lanzarote Convention, the first comprehensive, legally binding treaty providing a response to sexual violence against children. Ratified by 48 parties, it is an open treaty any country worldwide can accede to.
The report highlights two 2025 milestones:
- The report “Protecting children against sexual abuse in the circle of trust: Legal frameworks” welcomed the progress made since 2015, noting that several states have now criminalised the sexual abuse of children of all ages by individuals in recognised positions of trust, authority, or influence, and have improved safeguards for child victims during investigations and proceedings. The report also provided recommendations for further action, including strengthening protections for child victims of familial abuse and implementing measures to address harmful sexual behaviour among children.
- The report on data collection mechanisms related to the sexual abuse and exploitation of children across 36 countries in Europe and beyond which marked the first comprehensive effort to compile good practices and identify gaps in data collection. Among its key recommendations, the report urged national authorities to use available data on child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse to develop evidence-based policies and measures, as well as to monitor their implementation and impact.
The publication of the report is the first in a series of Council of Europe initiatives in June focusing on children’s rights and safety.
Other children-related events at the Council of Europe this week
In what is a busy week for child-focused news from the Council of Europe, on 2 June there will be an exchange on AI-generated child-sexual-abuse material.
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are enabling the rapid creation, alteration and dissemination of child sexual abuse material. This includes content that is wholly AI-generated or altered through technologies or applications capable of producing nude images from clothed photographs (“nudifying” tools). These technological developments create new challenges for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
In response, the Lanzarote Committee and the Cybercrime Convention Committee will hold a joint event on 2 June 2026 to exchange information on the emerging challenges posed by AI-generated or altered child sexual abuse material.
On 4 June there will be an event on exposure to social media and children’s well-being and mental health. The Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will open the thematic dialogue.
Social media plays an increasing role in children’s daily lives, transforming the way they communicate, learn, and interact. While these platforms offer children real opportunities to express themselves, participate, and stay informed, they also raise concerns about risks to children’s well-being and mental health.
The event will explore policy responses to mitigate such risks. At a time when many countries are reviewing their legislation on children’s access to social media, these discussions aim to define how best to balance the protection of children with respect for their rights and participation.
Organised by the Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF) in co-operation with the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO) and under the auspices of the Presidency of Monaco of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, the event can be followed online upon prior registration.
The thematic dialogue contributes to the New Democratic Pact for Europe.
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