Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse Online and Offline: A Call for Stronger EU Action

Hosted by shadow rapporteur on the Recast CSA Directive, MEP Marina Kaljurand (S&D, Estonia) and marking the start of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the “Seminar on Strengthening EU Action to Prevent and Protect Children from Sexual Abuse” focused on what the EU must do to protect children and ensure that laws keep pace with growing threats. Last week, the EU began trialogue talks on the Recast Directive to fight child sexual abuse. The discussions focused on the need for strong and effective prevention measures in the law's final text.

EU Representatives and children’s organisations called for stronger laws to protect children from sexual abuse:

• Stefanie Lydert Terkildsen, leading the current EU negotiations, confirmed the commitment of the Council of the EU to improve laws that protect children and urged all EU countries to do the same. 
• Lorenzo Negri from the European Commission - DG Home highlighted key priorities to be included in the law: clearer consent rules, stronger action against grooming, bans on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, and better victim support systems.
• Fabiola Bas Palomares, representative of the ECLAG coalition, called for tougher measures — equal penalties for online and offline abuse, full protection for all children under 18, no time limits for survivors to seek justice, and mandatory child safety policies with background checks in all child-facing organisations.

”Reporting obligation is a lifeline for victims and it can save other children from abuse by the same offender. Abuse should always be reported and people working daily with children are the best placed to do so.”

MEP Marina Kaljurand, Shadow Rapporteur

"ECLAG calls on the Council to align on the European Parliament’s position and to seize this crucial opportunity to protect children. Europe’s child sexual abuse crisis requires bold actions. The true measure of our commitment to children's rights lies in the effectiveness of the protections we provide."

Fabiola Bas Palomares, representative of the ECLAG Coalition

What We Can Learn from EU Countries’ Experiences

Participants at the event shared powerful examples of how some countries are already taking action to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Click here to learn more.

Katarzyna Katana, attorney at law with the Empowering Children Foundation Poland, presented the country’s recent legal progress in child protection. A new law requires all organisations working with children to have safety policies and to check staff criminal records. She said:

"All children, wherever they live or whatever activities they are taking part in, are entitled to be safe and protected by well-operating safeguarding practices."

Waltraud Gugerbauer, Managing Director of ECPAT Austria, presented how Austria makes sure organisations operating in the country protect children with intention. Austria uses a system that gives certificates to organisations that meet child safeguarding standards.

Rodoula Papalambrianou, Scientific Coordinator at the Children’s House - Hope for Children, explained that Cyprus has set a good example with Barnahus centres. At these centres, police, doctors, and social workers work together in one place. This helps children report abuse with less fear and stress. She said:

"The less a child is burdened after disclosing an abusive experience, the more achievable their recovery becomes."

Mariama Diallo, Coordinator of the Child-Friendly Justice European Network at Defence for Children Belgium, called for more Barnahus-type centres across the EU. She highlighted positive feedback from children, the importance of EU quality standards, and the need to make these centres part of public systems to ensure they last long-term.