Date: 8 October 2025, 9.30-11.00 CET
Speakers:
- Silvija Stanic, Parents Association Step by Step, Croatia
- Elli Kaplani, KMOP, Greece
Description:
The aim of this breakfast byte was to share existing tools and resources on preventing child sexual abuse, especially for parents and guardians, but also professionals and children themselves. During the webinar we touched upon good practices and challenges to support families in preventing child sexual abuse. The work of two COFACE members was spotlighted, but the aim was to also gather examples and expertise from other organisations and experts. Every child has a right to grow in a safe environment and enjoy the best possible health, which includes well-balanced sexual health. To acquire well-balanced sexual health, children need evidence-based sexual education already from early childhood. Sexual education that is started early supports the child’s development and provides the child with information and skills to better protect themselves and other children. Increasing knowledge of children, as well as parents and professionals, can help prevent child sexual abuse. Two organisations came together in this webinar, to spotlight their work to build trainings and tools to prevent child sexual abuse.
Step by Step Parents Association in Croatia promotes the rights of children and their families through different programmes. One of those programmes is the Child Assault Prevention Programme (CAP Programme). The CAP programme exists already for 25 years in Croatia and it equips children with effective prevention strategies to reduce their vulnerability and exposure to various forms of violence. Additionally, it ensures better support for parents, guardians, and educators. The programme has several variants that are intended for children of different ages and needs: preschool, kindergarten, teenagers, and children with disabilities. See full presentation here.
KMOP, the Social Action and Innovation Centre in Greece has extensive experience in education, research, policy and social action. They partnered in a project of the European Union Internal Security Fund (ISF) called “Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education” (CSAPE 2022-2024). As part of the project, they conducted a survey to map the attitudes and practices of children and youth concerning their online behaviour, ability to recognise potentially dangerous situations online, and awareness of available reporting and support mechanisms in case of online abuse in their respective countries. One of the resources developed by the project is a Guide for parents and guardians about Child sexual education. See full presentation here.
Further information
CAP in general – URKPK. Resource of Parents Association Step by Step, Croatia
CSAPE – Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education. Resource of KMOP, Greece
Prevention of violence specifically in (amateur) sport clubs. Resource of Defence for Children International
You are not alone. Programme in Finland run by Vaestoliitto (Family Federation of Finland)
Comment protéger les enfants dans votre structure sportive. Resources developed by PARCS 2.0
European Commission launches new network for Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
EU Strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse
COFACE is proud member of ECLAG – a European coalition working to end child sexual abuse online
Get the facts about grooming and Warning signs to watch for. Resources developed by RAINN
How to recognise child grooming signs. Resource developed by Raising Children, Australia
The Real red flags of grooming. Resource of the National Children’s Alliance, USA
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Terminology
Child sexual abuse: Any act, by an adult or a person significantly older than the child, that violates a child’s right to sexual self-determination or any attempt of such act. Child sexual abuse includes e.g., engaging in sexual activities with a child, causing a child to witness sexual activities or sexual abuse, and coercing, forcing, or threatening a child into sexual activities with a third party.
Child sexual abuse material: Any photo/video material that depicts a child engaging in sexual conduct (with or without an adult) and material with a focus on the genital/anal region of the child.
Grooming (solicitation of a child for sexual purposes): An adult approaching a child online or offline, with the goal to abuse the child sexually. Grooming can include the following (Note! All of these are also considered child sexual abuse):
- Communicating with a child in a sexualised way
- Commenting on the child’s image or body with sexual connotations
- Asking a child for a nude/intimate photo of themselves
- Sending nude/intimate or pornographic material to a child
- Getting a child to act in a sexual way in front of a camera
- Getting a child to agree to meet online or offline