What is the project?

The project objective is to strengthen the response to violence against children, including online child sexual exploitation and abuse, in the Republic of Moldova.

The Project will focus on protection and promotion of children’s rights in the digital environment and will also address the protection of children against violence, including child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as prevention of peer-to peer violence.  It builds on the experience and findings revealed within two previous projects Protecting children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in the Republic of Moldova (2018-2020), as well as of Combating violence against children in the Republic of Moldova (2020 - 2021).

The project is implemented by the Children’s Rights Division in cooperation with the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau.

 What is the legal context?

The Republic of Moldova ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (Lanzarote Convention) in 2011. The Committee of the Parties to the Convention, also known as the Lanzarote Committee, is charged with monitoring the implementation of the Convention. The Republic of Moldova participated in the 1st monitoring round dedicated to the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in the circle of trust (2014-2017), in the 2nd one on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse facilitated by information and communication technologies (2017) and in the 3rd one on the protecting children affected by the refugee crisis from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (2017).

Other important standards taken into consideration during the project implementation include the Council of Europe Guidelines on child-friendly justice (2010), Convention on Cybercrime (ETS No. 185),  Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on Guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment. Guidelines on the rights of the child in the digital environment, Integrated national strategies for the protection of children from violence.

The project itself promotes the implementation of these international standards and builds on the progress and work already carried out at national level. Relevant national standards and policies include the Law no. 338 of 15.12.1994 on the rights of the child, Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2021 -2024, Action Plan of the Government of the  Republic of Moldova for 2020-2023.

 What do we aim to achieve?

 Who we work with?

Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Supreme Court of Justice, General Prosecutor’s Office, Ombudsperson for Children’s Rights, National Institute of Justice, State Chancellery, National Administration of Penitentiaries, National Probation Inspectorate, Information Technology and Cyber Security Service, National Association of Private ICT Companies, Minister of Digitization, NGOs, acclaimed experts in the field.

 Who benefits from the project?

The project targets judges, prosecutors, police officers, staff of IT companies, penitentiary and probation staff, social workers, doctors, teachers, educators, parents. It ultimately benefits children at risk of violence, including online sexual abuse.