Newsletter November 2025

Building a Europe for and with children

Recommendations: parental separation and care proceedings

Two new Committee of Ministers’ recommendations on the protection of the rights and best interests of the child in parental separation proceedings and in care proceedings were presented on 19 November at a public launch event in Strasbourg and online. Speakers highlighted the value of the recommendations, which provide guidance for assessing the child's best interests and ensuring respect for the substantial and procedural rights of children affected by such proceedings.

Child sexual abuse: report on legislation in 48 States

The Lanzarote Committee adopted a comprehensive report on “Protecting children against sexual abuse in the circle of trust”. It evaluates and guides the 48 state parties on how to better prevent abuse and protect victims. Gaps remain in criminal law definitions, responses to intrafamilial sexual abuse and harmful sexual behaviours among children. Further action is also needed to prevent secondary victimisation, strengthen education and support for children, and prevent re-offending.

Empowering change: 750+ trained to better protect children

Over 750 professionals, parents and children have participated in the last six months in transformative training of trainers on child-friendly justice, sexual violence, interagency co-operation, guardianship, and mental health and psychosocial support. An impressive 98% reported enhanced skills and knowledge, with many already applying their learning to promote safer environments for children. Contact us to receive training materials and learn about opportunities to get involved in our co-operation projects.

Children of Ukraine: New mandate of consultation group

On 19 September, the Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine launched its second mandate. It will focus on key topics from the first phase such as trauma-informed care and will explore new areas, including the role of children in the accountability process and access to justice, conflict-related sexual violence, risks from AI-generated content in the context of war, and bullying and harassment within educational settings.

#EndChildSexualAbuseDay: Better data – safer children

This year’s Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse highlighted the importance of evidence-based policy making, as underscored in the Lanzarote Committee’s report on “Data collection mechanisms on child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse”. Across Europe, numerous events marked the occasion, including a conference in the Republic of Moldova emphasising the vital role of reliable data in shaping effective child protection policies and practices.

New guidance on prevention of sexual violence against children

Member states have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children from sexual violence with the adoption of a Thematic guidance note on safeguarding children from the risks of accessing online pornography, complementing the Feasibility study on age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education and Study on sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour displayed by children. The Mid-Term Review Conference in April further showcased support for addressing sexual violence through age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

EndOCSEA@Europe+ project: Lasting results for child online safety

A conference on 21 October marked the successful conclusion of two years of joint efforts to strengthen national and regional responses to online child sexual exploitation and abuse in Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Montenegro. Partners shared progress made and highlighted the lasting impact of the EndOCSEA@Europe+ project. The Council of Europe will continue disseminating tools and training materials produced to further support professionals in keeping children safe online.

Children of Ukraine: Special Envoy appointed

In February 2024, the Secretary General appointed Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjord Gylfadóttir (Iceland) as Special Envoy on the situation of children of Ukraine. The Special Envoy raises awareness of the challenges faced by the children of Ukraine and fosters international co-operation. Following her first visit to Ukraine she identified accountability for crimes committed against children and trauma-informed care as key priorities of her mandate.

Looking for some resources on Children's Right?

Manual for Professionals: Mental health and psycho-social support for children in crisis and emergency situations
Study on sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour displayed by children: Nature, causes, consequences and responses
Child-Friendly Justice Assessment Tool
HELP courses on Protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and Children's rights in the digital environment (catalogue of courses with all language versions)
Numerous publications, including Kiko materials, Tell someone you trust and So, this is sexual abuse? Leaflets and videos have been translated into Albanian, Macedonian and Portuguese and other languages.

For updates and latest resources on advancing children’s rights: follow our new LinkedIn account

Resources - Children's Rights ›

Recent texts and decisions

Recent adopted texts

Committee of Ministers

Parliamentary Assembly

Resolution 2629 (2025) “Sexual violence against men and boys”

Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child

Lanzarote Committee

Case-law of the European Court of Human Rights

Annulment of the intended mother’s parentage on the child applicant’s birth certificate after PMA abroad was within the State’s margin of appreciation. The practical difficulties did not exceed the limits imposed by Article 8, and adoption remained available as an alternative means of recognition: X v. Italy (in French)
Conviction for attempted sexual enticement of a child through online chats with an undercover officer did not breach Article 6 § 1, as the operation was passive, based on reported information, and involved no incitement; the case confirms that online-only communication targeting children falls within the scope of criminal law: Helme v. Estonia
The failure to consider whether to hear the children in Hague Convention return proceedings constituted a violation of Article 8. The Court highlighted that national courts must address this matter of their own motion, consistent with Recommendation CM/Rec(2025)4 on the protection of the rights and best interests of the child in parental separation proceedings: M.P. and Others v. Greece (in French), press release
The authorities’ ineffective and lengthy criminal investigation into domestic violence against a child did not satisfy the special diligence required in criminal cases involving children and amounted to a breach of Article 3: G.R.N. v. Romania: G.R.N. v. Romania
The Court holds Russia accountable for widespread and flagrant abuses of human rights arising from the conflict in Ukraine since 2014. The transfer and adoption in Russia of Ukrainian children breached Articles 3, 5 and 8: Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia [Grand Chamber] (press release)
Conditions in the Tompa transit zone subjected the applicant children to treatment breaching Article 3, and their prolonged confinement amounted to a de facto deprivation of liberty, violating Articles 5 §§ 1 and 4: H.A. and Others v. Hungary
In a case involving a parent with disabilities, the authorities removed custody after assessing the child’s best interests and the support measures available and the Court found no violation of Articles 8 and 14 of the Convention: Á.F.L. v. Iceland
Placement of a Roma child in temporary State care immediately after birth without a genuine balancing of the child’s and parents’ interests violated Article 8 of the Convention: B.T. and B.K.Cs. v. Hungary


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