JRC Report maps programmes for help seekers to prevent Child Sexual Abuse in Europe

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) published an updated report on 14 February 2023 that maps existing prevention initiatives and services for those who seek help for fearing of committing offences directed at children, and persons who have already committed offences against children to stop recidivism.

The EU has several legislative and non-legislative initiatives that focus on the prevention of child sexual abuse. Aside from bringing perpetrators to justice, there are also measures that aim at the prevention of these crimes before they (re)occur so that children do not become victims.

As shown by the report, Member States have struggled to put in place effective prevention measures when trying to meet the obligations under the EU Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (2011/93/EU).

Through five case studies, the Help Seeker and Perpetrator Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation report illustrates how the use of a common taxonomy of 14 agreed classification criteria and related keywords (tags) can foster descriptions of help-seeker and perpetrator prevention initiatives in a structured yet concise manner. This enhances knowledge and facilitates the comparison of prevention initiatives, therefore facilitating their implementation by Member States.

In addition, the report published by JRC, presents an updated mapping of over one hundred prevention initiatives from across the EU and beyond, gathered under four categories:

1. preventive initiative for people who fear they may offend;
2. prevention initiatives in the course of criminal proceedings;
3. intervention programmes or measures after criminal proceedings;
4. prevention initiatives offered to minors.

This updated mapping, together with the new classification criteria, tags and a common taxonomy for different stakeholders will be used to help create an EU Prevention Plat­form that will serve as a database at EU Level of national prevention initiatives. This Platform will support EU Member States and other stakeholders in the de­sign and implementation of tailor-made prevention policies that strengthen the fight against child sexual abuse and exploitation in the Europe­an Union and beyond. The Platform will also play a key role in supporting the work of the Prevention Network, which is being set up to bring together experts in the field and EU Member States to share good practices and improve the knowledge and evidence base in relation to prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation in the EU.

The fight against child sexual abuse and exploitation is a firm priority for the EU. Researchers from the JRC work closely with Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs in implementing the EU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse. This report will support future legislation to effectively tackle child sexual abuse and strengthen the EU’s capacity to significantly reduce child sexual abuse online and offline.