On the occasion of International Migrants Day (18 December), the Council of Europe announced on 16 December the launch of a “Handbook on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in crisis and emergency situations”.
“There is a heightened risk of children going missing when they are on the move, including from the reception facilities, responsible for protecting them. This Handbook highlights different challenges, including this one and how to address them”, said Leyla Kayacik, the Council of Europe Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees.
She emphasises the practicality of measures, the importance of sharing best practice, hotlines, coordination between migration and child protection agencies, data collection and the maintenance of a register of missing persons.
These guidelines are in line with the “Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe” and the “Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child”.
They are based on the conclusions of the “Committee for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse” (Lanzarote Committee).
Link to the handbook: https://aeur.eu/f/4ph (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)