VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is currently hosting a pivotal informal meeting of the Ministers of the Council of Europe, marking the 15th anniversary of the Lanzarote Convention, which focuses on preventing child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, Michael Falzon, opened the event by underlining society’s duty to protect children. He highlighted Malta’s efforts, including the introduction of mandatory reporting, stricter legal timeframes, and harsher penalties for abusers.
The two-day meeting gathers 50 international delegations and over 130 participants to assess progress, address legal gaps, and explore new threats—such as those arising from artificial intelligence.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset revealed that one in five women and one in seven men were victims of sexual violence as children. He stressed the need for not just laws, but real implementation and prevention efforts. “Children are not just victims—they are agents of change,” Berset said.
Berset also flagged alarming trends: 91% of child abuse material in 2024 was media-shared, including AI-generated content. He called for renewed commitment to awareness and prevention.
European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, in a virtual address, reported 1.3 million abuse cases in EU countries in 2023. “Every second, abuse images circulate online. This is a grave violation of rights,” he said, urging stronger enforcement and education.
Claudia Cuschieri and Alexia Vella from Malta’s Ministry emphasized the role of empowerment alongside protection, ensuring children can both be safe and safeguard themselves.
The meeting represents the first of its kind to focus exclusively on policies surrounding child protection and will shape future European collaboration on this critical issue.
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(ITALPRESS).