© Congress

The Pact of Cities and Regions to stop sexual abuse against children was signed in Athens, Greece, on 31 August 2017, by Irena DOUROU, Governor of the Region of Attica, and George IOAKEIMIDIS, Mayor of Nikaia-Rentis, in the presence of Gabriele Neff, Chair of the Current Affairs Committee of the Congress, and Anastasios KOURAKIS, First Deputy Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament. Gabriele NEFF underlined the importance of the initiative to sign this Pact and said she was confident that further municipalities in Greece would follow this example, in particular through the close co-operation of the Congress with KEDE, the Union of Greek Municipalities.

The protection of children from sexual violence and abuse is of particular importance in the context of the current refugee crisis, Ms Neff concluded. The initiative of the Pact will also be at the centre of a meeting between Mrs NEFF and KEDE on Friday 1 September. The Pact is a tool developed by the Congress which provides a list of practical actions and policies to be implemented in order to set up child-friendly services, protect children and prevent them being exposed to sexual violence. The signatory cities undertake to develop initiatives in this regard.