Sexual violence and abuse against children remains a tragic reality for all societies, with horribly negative consequences for the lives of child victims and the Cyprus Parliament is in collaboration with competent bodies, in order to strengthen the institutional tools for prevention, protection and support of victims and to contribute as a legislative body to the elimination of the crime President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou said.
She was speaking before the Plenary of the Parliament on Thursday afternoon, on the occasion of the International Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse which is observed November 18th.
She also referred to World Children’s Day observed every year on November 20th, noting that this day is a reminder of our responsibility to ensure that every child grows up in a safe environment and under conditions of equal opportunities.
Demetriou said that the Cyprus House of Representatives acknowledges its critical role as a legislative body and to this end it monitors and adopts the strategies and actions of the European Union to combat all forms of violence and exclusion, but also to strengthen policies that promote education, health and psychosocial well-being of all children.