Since 2015 the Council of Europe has declared 18 November to be the European Day on the Protection of Children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, a statement from the office of the Commissioner for Children said. All children have the right to live a life free from such abuse which may have long lasting effects on them.

Recent technologies such as the Internet and social media are bringing new challenges to child protection and for this reason, the European Day focuses on the specific theme of The protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse facilitated by information and communication technologies (ICTs).

The Office believes that the internet provides countless opportunities for children and that all children should have access to the internet however all the significant adults in a child’s life have the responsibility to ensure that they can access it in a safe way. This can be done by raising awareness about the safe use of the internet; empowering children by equipping them with the skills to avoid online risks; offering support to children and engaging in discussions with them; and asking for help if necessary.

One of the initiatives which the Office of the Commissioner for Children forms part of is the BeSmartOnline! campaign which aims to raise awareness amongst children, parents, carers and educators about keeping children safe online. The issues addressed through this campaign include grooming, sexting and sexual abuse material. The campaign also provides the services of a helpline and a hotline.

Children should, from an early age, be taught about what kind of behaviour can lead to abuse. Over the past days the Office has been distributing a copy of Kiko and the Hand, a Council of Europe publication, to all children in Kinder 2. This is a story book for children, with an insert for parents, which aims to help parents to engage in discussions with their children about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

The Office would like to stress that whoever is aware of any abuse being perpetrated against children, should report it. This can be done by calling support line 179. All sexual abuse material that one comes across can be reported on www.childwebalert.gov.mt.