EU Commission: child protection, guidelines for States. Violence against children, impressive data

The Commission has today adopted the recommendation on “developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child, as a commitment in the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child”. The recommendation – according to the Commission – will help Member States to strengthen “their child protection systems”. “Authorities at all levels of governance and civil society across all sectors need to work together to protect children from all forms of violence”, the Commission’s document states. “The EU is home to 80 million children. Violence against children remains a significant challenge both inside and outside the EU, at many levels: 13% to 29% of 15-year old students report being frequently bullied”. “Up to 13.7% of adult women reported to have experienced sexual violence in childhood”. The actions, and inaction, of governments have a greater impact on children than on any other group in society. Protecting children is both a moral and a legal imperative. It is also a strategic long-term investment in our societies”. The recommendation has some key elements: putting children at the centre of integrated child protection systems; supporting Member States in adapting their systems to protect any child from any form of violence; establishing a general framework of integrated child protection systems; responding to children’s safety needs online and offline by improving children’s digital literacy, promoting the safe use of digital technologies and training families and carers; preventing and fighting cyberbullying.
Marco Calvarese