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Commemoration of European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

Today, 18th November 2021, we are celebrating European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Slovenia is one of the initiating countries, which together with Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco and San Marino prepared a statement to mark this day for the 7th year in a row. This year, the biggest number of countries have joint the statement – all 47 member states of the Council of Europe, the European Union and Tunisia.

The statement is focusing on abuse in the circle of trust, which is regrettably the most common environment of child abuse. In the statement, we have empathized that raising awareness is not enough. Legislative improvements as well as effective prevention, training, investigation and monitoring are needed. The leading response model for the treatment of children victims of sexual violence is Children's House – Barnhaus, where psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation takes place. One of the first ones in Europe is currently being established in Slovenia. Children are taking an important part in its creation. In general, involving children and civil society in finding solutions for this problem is crucial, thus contributing to the better efficiency of the system and at the long run to the restoration of children's confidence in it.