A joint Council of Europe-ECPAT Country Overview of the Republic of Moldova highlights a significant increase in online child sexual abuse and exploitation of children, facilitated by technology.

In the first half of 2021, out of the 1,745 calls made to the online platform that provides counselling to children who experienced online sexual abuse, 89% (1,554) came from children. Most reports referred to sexual extortion.

According to research undertaken by La Strada Moldova, a Moldovan non-governmental organisation, 13% of the surveyed children accidentally opened images or video sequences of a sexual nature while searching for information on the Internet, and 12% received messages containing vulgar words or images with sexual content. Half of the time, sexually explicit photos and videos came from a stranger.

The existing legal framework in the Republic of Moldova provides for the criminalisation of sexual abuse and exploitation offences. Moreover,  local authorities have recently approved the creation of a Specialised Commission for the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention. Nevertheless, several issues still need to be addressed.

As a way forward, the report provides recommendations including setting up comprehensive mechanisms for reporting and data collection about victims, implementing measures for child-friendly justice, collaborating with civil society, as well as training opportunities, education and awareness raising.