Global Solutions for Global Problems: Lanzarote Convention – Against Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

In light of the experiences, ideas, and conclusions shared during the 5th World Congress on Justice for Children, the satellite event will consist of a roundtable bringing together key actors and stakeholders involved in child protection from Chile, as well as from the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective is to address one of the most pressing issues affecting children globally: sexual violence. Recognizing that the human rights of children and adolescents transcend national borders –and so do the challenges they face- the meeting seeks to promote a regional and international approach that enables articulated, sustained, and effective responses to this form of violence and its increasing threat, including the risks posed by the widespread use of information and communication technologies.

Additionally, the event aims to promote the identification and adoption of multilateral treaties beyond the region, as well as to strengthen cooperation among countries to enhance the prevention and combatting of sexual violence against children and adolescents, which, by its nature, often takes on a transnational character. In this context, the role of the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (Lanzarote Convention) will be addressed as a robust tool to confront this specific type of violence. This international instrument stands out for its universal vocation and for being the most ambitious and comprehensive treaty on the subject. Its content, holistic approach, and the good practices developed by State Parties in relation to the commitments it entails will be analyzed.

▫Time: 10:00 am- 12:30 pm (Chile time) / 04:00 pm – 06:30 pm (CET)

▫ Date: June 13, 2025

▫ Organizers: Office of the Child Ombudsperson of Chile and the Council of Europe, with support of Baker Mckenzie.

▫ Type of event: Roundtable

▫ Format: hybrid (In-person in Santiago, Chile / Online)

▫ Language: Spanish (with simultaneous interpretation: Spanish-English and Spanish-Portuguese)

▫ Speakers:

1. Anuar Quesille, Children’s Ombudsperson of Chile

2. Maurizio Sovino, Director of the Special Unit on Sexual Offenses and Sexual Exploitation, National Prosecutor’s Office, Public Ministry of Chile

3. Mireya García de Murcia, Legal Advisor and coordinator of the Barnahus Spain Project, Council of Europe

4. TBC, member of the Lanzarote Committee, Council of Europe