Commission issues recommendations to better protect children from violence

The Commission has adopted the Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child, as a commitment in the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child.

The Recommendation will support Member States in strengthening their child protection systems. Authorities at all levels of governance and civil society across all sectors need to work together to protect children from all forms of violence in a coherent and systemic way.

The EU is home to 80 million children. Violence against children remains a significant challenge both inside and outside the EU, at many levels, 13% to 29% of 15-year-old students report being frequently bullied. Up to 13.7% of adult women reported having experienced sexual violence in childhood, and this share might even be higher. The actions, and inaction, of governments have a greater impact on children than on any other group in society. Protecting children is both a moral and a legal imperative. It is also a strategic long-term investment in our societies.

Key elements of the Recommendation:

• Put children at the centre of integrated child protection systems adapting protection systems to children’s needs and including children when making decisions that impact them.
• Support Member States in adapting their systems to protect any child from any form of violence using EU tools such as legislation, policy, or funding. This starts by preventing and fighting discrimination, providing targeted support, and fostering a societal culture of zero violence against children.
• Establish a general framework of integrated child protection systems. Member States are invited to draw up national plans to end violence against children, effectively implement EU and national legislation on child protection, set up coordination structures, strengthen human and financial resources, and improve data collection.
• Improve coordination and cooperation across sectors and competent authorities through the training of professionals, starting at the local level.
• Establish comprehensive and coordinated support actions in cases of violence against children, from prevention and early identification to reporting and cross-sectorial support.
• Respond to children’s safety needs online and offline by improving children’s digital literacy, promoting the safe use of digital technologies, and training families and carers.
• Protect children’s integrity and mental health, and prevent and fight (cyber)bullying by encouraging Member States to develop national mental health strategies, with children as the priority target group.
• Make better use of existing EU tools to strengthen child protection systems: laws, policies, and funding support, as listed in the Annex accompanying the communication. Go beyond the EU, prompt Member States to adopt an integrated approach to protect children in their external action, such as eradicating child labor, protecting children in armed conflicts, and protecting children from climate change and environmental hazards.