Statement during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and child sexual abuse material

Statement during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material (9.3.2022)

" Greece aligns with the EU statement.

We would like to express our appreciation for the work of the Special Rapporteur and  her report.

Greece adopts a holistic approach aiming to effectively address the sale and sexual exploitation of children at an institutional, legislative and practical level.

In this regard, several actions to enhance the combating of child trafficking and the protection of underage victims have been undertaken in the framework of the National Action Plan for Preventing, and Fighting against, Human Trafficking, Protecting and Supporting the Victims, and Prosecuting the Perpetrators [2019-2023]. These include training campaigns with a wide range of beneficiaries from law enforcement authorities to Reception and Identification Centers throughout Greece, awareness-raising campaigns, but also assistance to and reintegration of victims. Moreover, as mentioned in your report, Greece has made the “Skills Labs” programme a permanent part of its national educational curriculum.

Furthermore, In April 2021, a new National Tracing and Protection Mechanism for unaccompanied children was launched in partnership with, among others, UNHCR, IOM and Civil Society, in order to address the particular vulnerability of children who are living in insecure conditions.

Madam Special Rapporteur,

Greece remains committed to combating the sale and sexual exploitation of children and will continue taking action against this inhuman phenomenon."