Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems

Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems | | Movimento Globale per i Diritti dell’Infanzia

Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems
24 April 2024

The Commission has recently adopted the Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child, as a commitment in the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child.

The Recommendation will support Member States in strengthening their child protection systems. Authorities at all levels of governance and civil society across all sectors need to work together to protect children from all forms of violence in a coherent and systemic way.

The EU is home to 80 million children. Violence against children remains a significant challenge both inside and outside the EU, at many levels 13% to 29% of 15-year old students report being frequently bullied. Up to 13.7% of adult women reported to have experienced sexual violence in childhood, and this share might even be higher. The actions, and inaction, of governments have a greater impact on children than on any other group in society. Protecting children is both a moral and a legal imperative. It is also a strategic long-term investment in our societies.


Key elements of the Recommendation:

  • Put children at the centre of integrated child protection systems adapting protection systems to children’s needs and including children when taking decisions that impact them.
  • Support Member States in adapting their systems to protect any child from any form of violence using EU tools such as legislation, policy, or funding. This starts by preventing and fighting discrimination, providing targeted support, and fostering a societal culture of zero violence against children.
  • Establish a general framework of integrated child protection systems. Member States are invited to draw up national plans to end violence against children, effectively implement EU and national legislation on child protection, set up coordination structures, strengthen human and financial resources and improve data collection.
  • Improve coordination and cooperation across sectors and competent authorities through the training of professionals, starting at the local level.
  • Establish comprehensive and coordinated support actions in cases of violence against children, from prevention and early identification to reporting and cross-sectorial support.
  • Respond to children’s safety needs online and offline by improving children’s digital literacy, promoting the safe use of digital technologies and training families and carers.
  • Protect children’s integrity and mental health, prevent and fight (cyber)bullying by encouraging Member States to develop national mental health strategies, with children as the priority target group.
  • Make better use of existing EU tools to strengthen child protection systems: laws, policies, funding support, as listed in the Annex accompanying the communication. Go beyond the EU, prompt Member States to adopt an integrated approach to protect children in their external action, such as eradicating child labour, protecting children in armed conflicts and protecting children from climate change and environmental hazards.

The Recommendation echoes the views of more than 1,000 children collected through the new EU Children’s Participation Platform. The broad consultation in preparation of the initiative also includes an open public consultation to which Defence for Children Italy contributed and a mapping by the Fundamental Rights Agency on child protection systems across Member States.

 

Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us


Contact Us

Defence for Children International - Italia

Sede legale e sociale: Piazza Don Andrea Gallo 5-6-7 R - 16124 Genova 
Sede operativa: Via Bellucci 4-6 - 16124 Genova

 

Tel.010 0899050 Fax 010 0899051
Codice Fiscale 97457060586

Genova Via Bellucci 4-6 mappa
Defence for Children international Italia
Sede legale e sociale: Piazza Don Andrea Gallo 5-6-7 R - 16124 Genova
Sede operativa: Via Bellucci 4-6, 16124 Genova
010 0899050