Thematic school "Preventing and combating online sexual exploitation and abuse of children"

During October 10-11, 2024, at the National Institute of Justice, the thematic school with the generic theme "Preventing and combating online sexual exploitation and abuse of children" was held. The training sessions were attended by judges, prosecutors, criminal investigation officers and representatives of the General Directorate for the Protection of Children's Rights from the municipality of Chisinau.

In their greeting messages, the head of the Office of the Council of Europe in Chisinau, Falk Lange, the head of the Training and Research Directorate of the National Institute of Justice, Ecaterina Popa, and the secretary of state of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Daniella Misail-Nichitin, emphasized the responsibility of the legal system in protecting the most vulnerable members of society and the need to provide professionals with knowledge and tools to effectively combat this phenomenon.

The training program, delivered by experts Victoria Baines and Arina Țurcan, covered a wide range of essential topics, including aspects of criminal and procedural law, criminal investigation and prosecution, as well as the protection, in criminal proceedings, of the child witness or victim of online sexual exploitation and abuse. Particular attention was paid to inter-agency cooperation and referral mechanisms to ensure an integrated and efficient approach to case management, with full support for victims, including to avoid re-victimisation.

The autumn school was organized by the National Institute of Justice in partnership with the Council of Europe project "End the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children @Europe Plus (EndOCSEA@Europe+)".