Belgrade, 14 June 2017 – The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe organised, in partnership with the City of Belgrade, a Seminar of National Associations of Local and Regional Authorities on 13 June 2017 in Belgrade, Serbia. The participants took stock of the actions carried out on the Pact of Cities and Regions to stop sexual violence against children and adopted conclusions inviting the Congress to continue its work on four fronts.
Cities and regions are encouraged to develop awareness-raising actions on the occasion of the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, on 18 November each year, particularly in schools.
The conclusions also underline the importance of providing in the same space all the information needed to guide the victims and their families. Local authorities in the Council of Europe Member States are therefore encouraged to set up a specific web page on their municipal websites, including the contact details of social and health services, the police, the judiciary services and NGOs.
In addition, the participants confirmed the interest of the Pact of Cities and Regions to stop sexual violence against children. This tool, launched at the initiative of the Congress, provides a list of practical actions and policies to be implemented in order to develop child-friendly services, protect children and prevent sexual violence in society. Municipalities are invited to sign this Pact and to use the toolkit developed to accompany local and regional authorities.
Finally, the situation of children affected by the refugee crisis needs to be taken into account because of the particular risks to which they are exposed.