Europe steps up its fight against child sexual abuse

Europe is taking a major step forward in the fight against child sexual abuse and exploitation. Negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council have reached an agreement on a new directive that will strengthen measures against these crimes. The legislation introduces tougher penalties, longer limitation periods and clearer definitions to address emerging forms of abuse.

MEP Assita Kanko, who took part in the negotiations on behalf of the ECR The N-VA is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a conservative, eurorealistic parliamentary group in the European Parliament. The N-VA shares their realistic view of the European project and also advocates for the correct and intensive application of the subsidiarity principle. For example, we must not be afraid to ask ourselves if it would be better to leave certain European initiatives to the Member States. The N-VA also identifies with the emphases that the ECR places on the social-economic issues. Since the 2014 elections, the ECR has become the third largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament. ECR Group, welcomed the agreement. “We have struck a good balance between respecting the criminal justice systems of the Member States and improving legal protection for victims of child sexual abuse. Our children deserve nothing less.”

More time for victims to come forward

One of the key elements of the agreement is the extension of limitation periods. Victims of child sexual abuse often need many years before they feel able to speak about what happened to them or report the abuse.

Under the new rules, limitation periods will only start running once a victim reaches the age of 18. For the most serious offences, the period can extend up to 32 years. This will give victims more time to seek justice, even long after the abuse has taken place.

According to Assita Kanko, this new European approach is urgently needed. “An estimated one in fifteen children in the European Union is a victim of sexual abuse. That is completely unacceptable. Every victim is one too many. Hands off our children.”

New forms of abuse brought into the law

For the first time, the directive also explicitly recognises several offences that are becoming increasingly common. These include sextortion, child sex tourism, and the creation or distribution of AI tools used to generate child sexual abuse material.

According to Assita Kanko, this is essential because offenders are increasingly operating online and across borders. “That is why this new legislation will make it a criminal offence throughout Europe to distribute AI software used to create child sexual abuse material. Child sex tourism will also be criminalised across the entire European Union.”

Tougher penalties

The directive also requires EU Member States to introduce clear and robust penalties for child sexual abuse offences. The application of those penalties will, of course, remain in the hands of independent judges in each Member State.

Finally, professionals whose work involves contact with children will be required, wherever possible and in the best interests of the child, to report cases of abuse or suspected abuse.

The directive is expected to receive final approval in September. EU Member States will then have up to two years to transpose the new rules into national legislation.