One in five children in Europe has experienced some form of sexual abuse – from inappropriate sexualised messages to physical sexual abuse. Every second, child sexual abuse material is being distributed, sold, and viewed online. This alarming reality has prompted a collaborative effort across Europe to address and prevent child sexual abuse through education and cooperation.

The Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education (CSAPE) project was established as a two-year initiative from 2023 to 2024, funded by the European Internal Security Fund (ISF). This project united five European countries – Finland, Iceland, Greece, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina – with the shared goal of enhancing the prevention of child sexual abuse. The consortium has trained professionals, provided sexual education to children, and developed materials and educational programs aimed at empowering children, parents, and professionals to effectively combat this pervasive problem.

The culmination of these efforts was marked by a highly successful seminar held in Brussels on October 30, 2024. Representatives from the consortium’s five countries, along with experts from academia, the European Union; and Save the Children Europe, gathered to share insights and progress. The seminar was attended by around 50 people in person and reached a broad online audience from over 20 countries, totalling more than 240 online participants.

Distinguished speakers enriched the seminar with their expertise. Willy Bergogné, Save the Children Europe Director and EU Representative and Ms. Floriana Sipala, Director for Internal Security and Commission Counter-Terrorism Coordinator from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs emphasized the importance of collective action in safeguarding children’s rights. Theresa Ryan-Rouger, Senior Project Officer at Missing Children Europe and the CESAGRAM Project EU, delivered a compelling keynote address on the global challenge of online child sexual abuse. Dr. Olena Ivanova, Senior Researcher at the Tropical Institute LMU, discussed the state of sexual education in Europe and its pivotal role in prevention. Dr. Miriam Schuler and Eliza Schlinzig from the Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine at Universitätsmedizin Berlin provided valuable insights into juveniles who have sexual interest towards younger children.

A standout moment during the seminar was the panel featuring young representatives from the Child Advisory Boards established in each of the five project countries. These courageous young individuals shared honest insights and reflections on the challenges and risks they face online. They emphasized the critical role that sexual education plays in helping young people navigate these challenges and highlighted the responsibility of adults to support and protect them. Their contributions underscored the importance of involving youth in discussions and decision-making processes related to their own safety and well-being.

The seminar underscored the necessity of a multifaceted, collaborative approach to combat child sexual abuse. It emphasized prevention through education, early intervention by training professionals to recognize early signs of risk, cross-sector and cross-border cooperation, empowering youth by involving them directly, and leveraging technology to address online abuse through innovative solutions.

The CSAPE project has made significant strides in raising awareness, educating stakeholders, and empowering both professionals and youth in the fight against child sexual abuse. The successful seminar in Brussels highlighted the collective efforts and reinforced the commitment to continue working towards a safer and more supportive environment for children and youth across Europe. The consortium extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended, contributed, and engaged in this essential dialogue. Together, the collaborative efforts demonstrate that uniting across borders and disciplines can lead to significant progress in safeguarding the rights and well-being of children. By turning awareness into action, we can create a safer future for all children in Europe.