Launch of new European convention on child sexual abuse

LANZAROTE, Spain, Oct. 25 – A new Council of Europe document aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation was prepared for signing at a conference of European Justice Ministers on Thursday. The document contains measures to combat sexual abuse in the home and in the family, as well as child prostitution, pornography, “grooming” for sexual purposes and sex tourism. In July 2007, the Council of Europe adopted the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, the first instrument to establish the various forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offenses, including abuse committed in the home or the family. The convention fills the gaps in European legislation and harmonizes the legal framework to fight against this plague.