The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has decided to play an active part in the Council of Europe Campaign to Stop Sexual Violence against Children launched in Rome on 29-30 November 2010.

The Parliamentary Dimension of this campaign is in particular aimed at associating national parliaments with the campaign and promoting the signature, ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (CETS 201 - "Lanzarote Convention") which entered into force on 1 July 2010 and has been ratified by 10 out of 47 Council of Europe member states to date (January 2010).

A network of contact parliamentarians has been set up to facilitate and link up with action at national level. It will meet for the first time during the first part-session 2011 of the Parliamentary Assembly (26 january, 2 p.m.). By the end of January 2011, more than 20 contact parliamentarians have been appointed (list as of 12/01/2011).
List of the contact parliamentarians

A handbook for parliamentarians has been prepared as a practical tool for communicating and implementing the Lanzarote Convention at national level. The handbook highlights the issues which are expected to be covered by national legislation and best practice in Council of Europe member states. It will be made available to parliamentarians in January 2011.
Handbook for parliamentarians

Child abuse in institutions: ensuring full protection of the victims (Recommendation 1934)

Ending sexual violence against children (Written declaration 460 signed by 95 members of the Assembly)

Parliaments united in combating sexual violence against children: promoting the Lanzarote Convention (Motion for a resolution)

Child pornography and Internet-related sexual exploitation of children: combating new forms of sexual violence (Motion for a recommendation)

Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention)

Council of Europe Campaign to Stop Sexual Violence against Children

24-28 January 2011, Strasbourg
The network of contact parliamentarians will meet for the first time during the first part-session 2011 of the Parliamentary Assembly (26 january, 2 p.m.).

29-30 November 2010, Rome
A 14-member PACE delegation, including the Sub-Committee on Children, took part in the the high level launch event of the Council of Europe campaign “One in five” to stop sexual violence against children in Rome. Conference speakers included Mr Frank Fahey (Ireland, ALDE), Vice-President of the Assembly and former Irish Minister of State for Children; Ms Carina Ohlsson (Sweden, SOC), Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Children; Ms Marlene Rupprecht (Germany, SOC), Chairperson of the German Parliament’s Committee on Children and an early advocate of the campaign.

Programme of the Rome launch event (PDF)

For PACE news announcements regarding the event and further information please see :
Parliamentarians have ambitious plans for new campaign against sexual abuse of children
"Transparency the best way to tackle problem of child sex abuse"
PACE Chair lists the laws needed to protect children from sexual abuse

Contacts

Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Ms Maren Lambrecht-Feigl
Secretary
tel: + 33 3 90 21 47 78
e-mail: maren.lambrecht@coe.int

Ms Nicola Stemp
Assistant
tel: + 33 3 88 41 21 23
e-mail: nicola.stemp@coe.int