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On 13 May 2014, Nicosia became the latest city to sign the Pact of Towns and Regions to Stop Sexual Violence against Children in the presence of Congress Thematic Spokesperson on Children Johan van den Hout. Earlier this year, the city of Limassol (Cyprus) and Land Berlin (Germany) also joined the Pact, bringing to 33 the number of municipalities, regions and civil society associations who have committed to combating sexual abuse of children in their communities, in the framework of the ONE in FIVE Campaign. The Pact is a tool which helps local and regional authorities to implement, at their levels, the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. It aims to prevent abuse, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators whilst ensuring the full participation of children throughout the process. Mr van den Hout is in Cyprus to take part in the meeting of the COE Parliamentary Assembly‘s Network of Contact Parliamentarians to stop sexual violence against children, and the meeting of the Steering Group on the Cyprus project. Photo: Constantinos YIORKADJIS, Mayor of Nicosia, with Johan van den Hout, Congress Thematic Spokesperson on Children

Pact of Cities and Regions to stop sexual violence against children