21 June 1994

Doc. 7107

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on the abuse and neglect of children

presented by Mr DEASY and others 1

1.       The Assembly notes with concern the recent rise in cases of child abuse and neglect. It is especially appalled at the high incidence of child sex abuse.

2.       This phenomenon seems to be widespread, encompassing many, if not all, of our member states.

3.       The Assembly considers that children have the right to be brought up in a secure and humane way, and that society has an obligation to protect them and look after their interests.

4.       In 1987 the Assembly adopted Recommendation 1065 on the traffic in children and other forms of child exploitation. The Assembly, and the Committee of Ministers in its reply (Doc. 5839), were especially concerned about the serious crimes, generally of an international nature, of sexual exploitation, pornography, prostitution and trafficking in respect of children. To combat the criminals who perpetrate these crimes, a select committee of experts was set up by the Committee of Ministers.

5.       The crimes of sexual abuse and neglect of children, however, are usually not perpetrated by criminal gangs, but by members of the children's own family - parents, aunts and uncles, or other close relatives.

6.       If child abuse and neglect are detected early, children can be saved from grave dangers to their lives, health and psychological well-being, for example by being removed from the perpetrators of the crime.

7.       The Assembly thus calls on member states to help combat the rising incidence of child abuse through installing early-warning systems and adopting prompt action when child abuse or neglect are detected.

Signed:

Deasy, Jurgens, Fry, Lopez Henares, Soysal, Schwimmer,

Bindig, Haller, Rokofyllos, Franck, Hagard, Karcsay,

Jaskiernia, Tabajdi, Rodota, Lupu, Stoffelen, Frunda,

Trojan, Hadjidemetriou, Fico, Andriukaitis

1 ¹ 1. This text only represents the views of the individual members who have signed it. It does not reflect a position adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.