EU justice ministers have significantly watered down a proposal aimed at combating child sexual abuse, with several ministers expressing disappointment over the removal of key elements from the original plan.
As technology advances, cases of child sexual abuse have risen in Europe, prompting the EU to update its 2011 directive on preventing child sexual exploitation and abuse. However, the initial proposal from the European Commission has been weakened following revisions by justice ministers from several member states. Countries such as Belgium, Finland, and Ireland voiced their regret over the exclusion of certain measures, particularly those intended to provide stronger legal protections for children.
The European Commission’s proposal seeks to standardize the definition of sexual violence against minors and harmonize penalties across EU countries. The plan also includes new criminal laws targeting the live-streaming of child rape, the possession of child exploitation materials, and the exchange of child abuse deepfakes.
The proposal’s text is still subject to change. After the European Parliament votes on the proposal, further negotiations will take place between the European Commission, the European Council, and the European Parliament.
Estimates suggest that one in five children in Europe experiences some form of sexual violence. In 2022 alone, there were 1.5 million reported cases of child sexual abuse across the EU.
