Trends, challenges and responses to online sexual exploitation and abuse of children were examined during a virtual side event in the context of the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations, co-organised by the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for violence against Children, the Council of Europe and the organisation Hope for Children.
Participants in the conference entitled “Challenges of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children” also examined shortcomings to current frameworks, ways to address these, as well as new developments in efforts to combat these crimes. In particular, the conference looked into the development of legal and policy frameworks and protection strategies to effectively prevent and eradicate new and emerging forms of online sexual exploitation and abuse in a gender-responsive and child-friendly manner.
Addressing the conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Ioannis Kasoulides, in a pre-recorded statement, said that the dramatic increase of online sexual violence and exploitation of children constitutes a worrying trend in our intensely complex and rapidly changing world.
He noted that the international community has the responsibility to take action adding that data has shown that online sexual violence and exploitation of children affects everyone. “This urgently calls for coordinated action,” he said.
Saying that Cyprus sets the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation, including online sexual violence, as a priority, he noted that the state fully recognises the importance of prevention and therefore focused its attention on promoting sexuality education in schools.
He recalled that the government of Cyprus is in the process of identifying its top priorities in advancing its candidacy for election to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2025-2027 and said that the protection of the rights of children will be one of the main pillars in this endeavor.
“We will use our voice to bring together all partners, governments and civil society to build bridges, identify gaps and formulate solutions,” Kasoulides concluded.
Minister of State for Youth Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Shamma Al Mazrui, said that her country is working tirelessly to strengthen the protection of children which is of utmost importance. She added that the UAE protects children by enforcing laws to protect them and empowers them by providing education, good health etc.
She stressed that domestic efforts must be supported and complemented by regional, and international cooperation and joint efforts.
“The technology is there” she said, adding that “we must convince others to get onboard with AI to protect our children from the dangers of internet”.
Najat Maalla M’jid, UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children, said that ending the crime of online sexual violence cannot wait. The internet, she said, offers enormous possibilities for children, to learn, to exchange with each other to make their voices heard but we also know that children all over the world experience or witness many forms of sexual violence online.
“The clock is ticking,” she stressed, adding that there are less than 8 years remaining to keep the promise to end violence against children by 2030, to prevent and put an end to online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
We need to do more, to act together, better and faster, she concluded.
Regina Jensdóttir, Head of the Children’s Rights Division and Council of Europe Coordinator for the Rights of the Child presented the action and role of the Council of Europe in preventing and protecting children from online sexual violence.
She said that while the online environment offers opportunities it really exposes children to risks of sexual abuse and exploitation which require the action of a multiplicity of stakeholders and a constant adaptability on our part.
“We need to be very vigilant”, she said and welcomed Cyprus’ policy for breaking the taboos and for a comprehensive sexuality education.
Despo Michaelidou, Cypriot Commissioner for Children’s Rights, said that states must ensure that, in all actions regarding the provision, regulation, design, management and use of the digital environment, the best interest of every child must be a primary consideration, in terms of their interactions, accessibility to information and protection from harm.
Stakeholders, she added, should identify and address the emerging risks that children face in diverse contexts, with particular attention to risks relating to sexual violence, exploitation and abuse.
Children’s access to the digital environment should be carefully designed to secure that services and content are adequate and specifically intended for children, Michaelidou pointed out.
Meanwhile, she said, connectivity and access should be accompanied by appropriate education and literacy measures, to ensure that online services and content are suitable, fair, transparent and available in child-friendly and age-appropriate language.
Other high-level panelists included Lt. Colonel Abdulrahman Altamimi, Deputy Director General of International Affairs Bureau, UAE Ministry of Interior, Sean Litton, Executive Director, Tech Coalition and Ernie Allen, Chair, WeProtect Global Alliance.
Source: Cyprus News Agency