Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children can happen at home, in school, during extra curricula activities, in the street, over the phone, through a webcam or online in general. In most cases it is inflicted by someone the child knows, in their circle of trust and causes lifelong damage to the child’s physical and mental health. The vaset majority of cases are not reported to the police.

Society as a whole has a duty to prevent these crimes, prosecute the perpetrators and protect the victims. We share a collective responsibility to bring it to light and take practical steps to address the situation. In 2015, as a follow-up to  ONE in FIVE Campaign to stop sexual violence against children, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers declared 18 November the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (#EndChildSexualAbuseDay). In 2022, the United Nations recognised 18 November as the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence. Since then, 18 November has been marked globally as #EndChildSexualAbuseDay.

Each year, on #EndChildSexualAbuse Day (18 November) the Council of Europe invites its partners to focus on a specific theme. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Emerging technologies: threats and opportunities for the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse”.

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The Council of Europe invites its partners, including state authorities, international organisations, civil society and the private sector, to take ownership of the Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

You can mark the Day by organising activities and raising awareness in your personal or professional capacity (as parents, teachers, law enforcement agents, sport coaches, non-governmental organisations representatives, etc.). Council of Europe partners are encouraged to use social media and already existing networks to take action and raise awareness, for example through school workshops, public discussions, screening of films on the topic of sexual violence against children, making public statements and holding media events.

The Council of Europe can promote relevant activities and initiatives through its dedicated website. We also provide numerous awareness-raising and communication tools and resources which can be used freely.

 Share your activities and initiatives!

Please inform us of the events you organise by completing an online form. Your activities and initiatives will be promoted on our dedicted webpage.

 Our awareness-raising and communication tools and resources

Since 2015, the Council of Europe has developed various awareness-raising and communication tools and resources: Infographics / Banner / Header / Panels