6. By promoting good practice, the Assembly seeks to open up a Europe-wide debate on full reparation for all violence committed against children. Violence takes many forms (and is not always sexual) and its effects on victims today and on their development must be recognised so that this full reparation truly reflects the seriousness of and is proportionate to the harm done.

7. The Assembly therefore calls on all member States to:

7.1. take stock of the situation of violence committed in public, private or religious institutions against children in order to create the right conditions for victims to speak out (including as adults) by ensuring they are treated with respect and humanity;

7.2. analyse the circumstances conducive to such abuse, including institutional care in public, private or religious settings, inadequate care, foster care in private homes, the removal of children from parents deemed to be “unfit”, forced adoption, etc.;

7.3. recognise the suffering endured and ensure complete management of after-effects and consequences of all kinds (physical, emotional, social, etc.) ;

7.4. issue an official apology to past and present victims;

7.5. prosecute and sanction perpetrators of these acts without a statute of limitations;

7.6. encourage and support non-State institutions caring for children and operating on the national territory to assume their responsibilities and ensure that their responses also allow full reparation for all violence committed against children;

7.7. ensure that victims, regardless of their age, who have been subjected to any form of physical, sexual or psychological violence are awarded an appropriate and adequate compensation that is proportionate to the gravity of the harm done, as reparation and redress for it and its future impact, with no time limit in relation to the date of the offences and in a manner proportionate to the seriousness of the damage suffered;

7.8. support the creation of places of remembrance of institutional mistreatment which highlight the Council of Europe’s fundamental values – human rights, democracy and the rule of law – in order to educate future generations about the best interests of the child and the protection of children’s well-being;

7.9. embark on a comprehensive programme of prevention and awareness-raising measures, including monitoring institutional care facilities and any situation in which children are taken into care, in order to minimise risks and be able to react quickly in cases of abuse.

8. The Assembly encourages the European Union and Morocco to also accede to the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (CETS No. 201, Lanzarote Convention) in order to contribute to the Council of Europe’s efforts to strengthen children’s rights and to work towards the eradication of all forms of violence against children, and to combat new threats.

9. Lastly, the Assembly intends to update its handbook for parliamentarians in order to support the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention and to provide parliamentarians with effective instruments to combat violence against children.

28 DE FEVEREIRO DE 2024 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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