The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, also known as the Lanzarote Convention is a
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe (CoE; french: Conseil de l'Europe, ) is an international organisation founded in the wake of World War II to uphold European Convention on Human Rights, human rights, democracy and the Law in Europe, rule of law in Europe. ...
multilateral treaty
A multilateral treaty is a treaty to which two or more sovereign states are parties. Each party owes the same obligations to all other parties, except to the extent that they have stated reservation (law), reservations. Examples of multilateral tre ...
whereby states agree to criminalise certain forms of
sexual abuse
Sexual abuse or sex abuse, also referred to as molestation, is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another. Molestation often refers to an instance of sexual assa ...
against children. It is the first
international treaty
A treaty is a formal, legally binding written agreement between actors in international law. It is usually made by and between sovereign states, but can include international organizations, individuals, business entities, and other legal perso ...
that addresses
child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse (CSA), also called child molestation, is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include engaging in sexual activities with a child (whet ...
that occurs within the
home
A home, or domicile, is a space used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for one or many humans, and sometimes various companion animals. It is a fully or semi sheltered space and can have both interior and exterior aspects to it. H ...
or
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
.
Content
States that ratify the Convention agree to criminalise sexual activity with children below the
legal age of consent, regardless of the context in which such behaviour occurs; it also mandates the criminalisation of
child prostitution
Child prostitution is prostitution involving a child, and it is a form of commercial sexual exploitation of children. The term normally refers to prostitution of a minor, or person under the legal age of consent.
In most jurisdictions, child ...
and
pornography
Pornography (often shortened to porn or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. Primarily intended for adults, . The Convention sets out several measures to prevent
child sexual exploitation
Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a commercial transaction that involves the sexual exploitation of a child, or person under the age of consent. CSEC involves a range of abuses, including but not limited to: the prostitution of ...
and abuse, including the training and educating of children,
monitoring
Monitoring may refer to:
Science and technology Biology and healthcare
* Monitoring (medicine), the observation of a disease, condition or one or several medical parameters over time
* Baby monitoring
* Biomonitoring, of toxic chemical compounds, ...
of offenders, and the screening and training of people who are employed or
volunteer
Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve ...
to
work with children.
Conclusion and entry into force
The Convention was concluded and signed on 25 October 2007 in
Lanzarote
Lanzarote (, , ) is a Spanish island, the easternmost of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is located approximately off the north coast of Africa and from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering , Lanzarote is the fourth-largest of the i ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. All states of the
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe (CoE; french: Conseil de l'Europe, ) is an international organisation founded in the wake of World War II to uphold European Convention on Human Rights, human rights, democracy and the Law in Europe, rule of law in Europe. ...
have signed and ratified the Convention. The last state to ratify it is Ireland, in 2020. It came into force on 1 July 2010 after being ratified by five states.
State parties
As of 11 May 2020, the treaty has been ratified by the following 48 states:
Although it was specifically designed for states of the Council of Europe, the Convention is open to accession by any state in the world; as of 2019 it has been ratified by Tunisia.
See also
*
*
European system of international human rights law
*
List of Council of Europe treaties
This is a list of multilateral treaties administered by the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe (CoE; french: Conseil de l'Europe, ) is an international organisation founded in the wake of World War II to uphold European Convention on Huma ...
References
External links
Convention textConvention information page Council of Europe.
Signatures and ratifications
{{DEFAULTSORT:Children Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse Protection Convention, Council of Europe
Child pornography law
Council of Europe treaties
Treaties of Albania
Treaties of Austria
Treaties of Armenia
Treaties of Belgium
Treaties of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Treaties of Bulgaria
Treaties of Croatia
Treaties of Cyprus
Treaties of the Czech Republic
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Treaties of France
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Treaties of Georgia (country)
Treaties of Greece
Treaties of Hungary
Treaties of Iceland
Treaties of Italy
Treaties of Latvia
Treaties of Liechtenstein
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Treaties of Luxembourg
Treaties of North Macedonia
Treaties of Malta
Treaties of Moldova
Treaties of Monaco
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Treaties of the Netherlands
Treaties of Poland
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Treaties of Romania
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Treaties of Serbia
Treaties of Slovakia
Treaties of Slovenia
Treaties of Spain
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Treaties extended to Clipperton Island
Treaties extended to French Guiana
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Treaties extended to New Caledonia
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Treaties extended to Saint Pierre and Miquelon
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Treaties extended to the Collectivity of Saint Martin
Treaties extended to Saint Barthélemy
Childhood in Europe