18 November 2015: The Council of Europe announces the first European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

The main objectives of this Day are to rise awareness about this crime, promote the discussion on protection policies and the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention (2010), that  requires European States to take measures to prevent child sexual abuse, to persecute the perpetrators and to help the victims.

"Recent research estimates that in 70 - 85% of cases, the perpetrator is a person known to the child. In 90% of cases, abuse is not reported to the police. To prevent these crimes, prosecute the perpetrators and protect the victims, the Council of Europe and its member states need to make sure that parents, educators, NGOs and decision-makers do not shy away from the problem, but bring it to light and discuss ways and take practical steps to solve it.

By combining our efforts, we can all contribute to a world free of sexual violence against children"

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Watch the video Tell Someone You Trust and download the brochure European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.