Source: European Parliament
The protection of children’s rights is a priority for the Commission, as confirmed in the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child[1], and the Commission Recommendation on integrated child protection systems[2], which calls on Member States to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, including corporal punishment and by actively raising awareness of the rights and needs of children among those who are in contact with children, including parents and care givers.
In addition, the Victims’ Rights Directive[3] recognises the special needs of child victims and the pending revision proposes an improved access to integrated and multidisciplinary support and protection services, to ensure that child victims are better supported and protected.
The directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence — which Member States need to transpose by June 2027 — equally recognises the need to protect child victims of domestic violence.
Reporting procedures need to be accessible in a child-friendly manner, the child shall be assisted by a trained professional and authorities shall implement state-wide effective, comprehensive and coordinated policies.
The Commission is fully committed to monitor implementation of the above-mentioned recommendation, pursue the adoption of the revision to the Victims’ Rights Directive and ensure the timely and appropriate implementation of the Violence Against Women Directive, which aims to ensure a speedy and coordinated response to domestic violence by competent authorities.
- [1] EU strategy on the rights of the child (COM(2021) 142 final), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0142.
- [2] Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/1238 of 23 of April 2024 on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/1238/oj.
- [3] Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA, OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 57, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2012/29/oj.