IFS-EMMAUS representative from Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in an international conference on multi-sectoral cooperation to prevent and combat sexual exploitation and child abuse in a digital environment. The conference is taking place in Strasbourg on May 16 and 17, 2019.
Online sexual exploitation and abuse is a specific kind of crime directed at children. The transnational nature of this crime often requires an international, multi-sectoral approach and response to provide comprehensive support to victims and ensure effective investigation and prosecution.
The Council of Europe Project for ending online sexual exploitation and abuse of children @ Europe (Endocsea @ Europe) supports all member states of the Council of Europe in combating sexual exploitation and child abuse in the digital environment, with a focus on strengthening the response in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.
This project is implemented in the framework of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021), and aims to support member States to prevent and combat OCSEA by:
- Setting up enabling environments for cross-sector, multidisciplinary collaboration at national and regional levels, by strengthening national governance structures and conducting situation analysis of online child sexual exploitation and abuse risks and responses in national and pan-European contexts;
- Supporting legislative and procedural reforms, training and capacity building for law enforcement officials, judges and prosecutors and promoting multi-disciplinary interagency cooperation for end-to-end victim support;
- Addressing societal capabilities with emphasis on awareness-raising, education of key target groups and empowerment of children.
The Steering Group is composed of representatives of ten countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and representatives of the Council of Europe and project partners.
The role of the Steering Group is to provide technical and strategic advice, support and recommendations to further the implementation of the Project. At the same time, the Steering Group will co-ordinate with relevant initiatives and programs, monitor progress made in project implementation and support the dissemination of deliverables and resources through professional and other networks.
