The Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, national NGOs and international organizations, is developing an online system for reporting child sexual abuse (CSA). The measure is in response to an increase in CSA cases lately.

According to official statistics, from January to September, 294 CSA cases were reported, and 15% of them were committed with the use of information technologies.

The increase in CSA numbers is partly attributed to migration. Over 37% of children live with a single parent or without their biological parents. Another factor is poverty: 28% of children live below the national poverty line.

Attending the second meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Council of Europe’s Child Protection Project, state secretary Daniela Misail-Nichitin said that the MoI is working to adjust the legislation so that all crimes of online sexual abuse of children can be documented and investigated.

A Commission was established to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention for the protection of children against sexual exploitation and abuse. The commission serves as an avenue for monitoring and coordinating all efforts to prevent and combat the exploitation and sexual abuse of children, protect their rights and promote cooperation in this segment are monitored and coordinated.