Joint Statement on the occasion of the 7th edition of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (18 November 2021)

Making the circle of trust  truly safe  for children 
 
The 7th edition of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation 
and  Sexual  Abuse  focuses on  the  circle  of  trust  of  children,  which  is  the  most common 
environment of abuse of children.  
 
Together the Council of Europe member States have done a considerable amount of work. 
However, we have to accept that the situation is worsening, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 
Millions of children have remained locked up in their homes and yet, they were not completely 
safe in their own circle of trust.  
 
If  and when those closest to them (family members, family friends, religious workers, sport 
coaches, mentors  and  other  adults  who  are  in  close  contact with  children)  abuse  them, 
instead of caring, educating and protecting them, this traumatic experience will stay with them 
all their life. It  is of the utmost importance that every child has their own safe environment  – 
their circle of trust.

Issued by six Council of Europe member States (Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, San Marino  and Slovenia) 
 
and supported by the 41 other Council of Europe member States: 

Albania,  Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, 
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, 
Iceland, Ireland  Italy,  Latvia,  Liechtenstein, Lithuania,  Malta,  Republic of Moldova, 
Montenegro,  Netherlands,  North Macedonia,  Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the 
Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine 
and United Kingdom; 
 
as well as by the European Union  and Tunisia.