© Congress

“All children have the right to be protected from violence, exploitation and abuse. Yet thousands of children in and around Europe, are suffering harsh conditions, violence and abuse as they try to find refuge from war or poverty,” stated Gudrun MOSLER-TÖRNSTRÖM on the eve of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse to be celebrated on 18 November.

“At the Congress, we know that cities and regions are at the forefront in the implementation of children’s rights-based policies and concrete action to protect children against sexual violence. It is also our role, as public authorities responsible for the reception of refugees and migrants in their cities and regions, to do our best to create safe spaces in reception centres, especially for children who are unaccompanied or separated from their families. I invite all local and regional authorities to adopt child-friendly services to protect children as well as help stop sexual violence towards them within the community,” she added.