Pleven, July 30 2018
Focus group on topics, connected with safety and protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse online conducted a team of the Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) in Pleven on July 30, 2018. Special focus when working was put on informational and communication technologies. The work with children is an addition to answers of the countries of Council of Europe according to the Convention of Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, which requires criminalizing of every kind of sexual crime against children. It shows that the countries in and out of Europe have to adopt concrete legislation trough measures for preventing the sexual violence, protecting children-victims, as well to implement criminal prosecution of perpetrations.
„Not everybody had the chance to get good education, we have to do our best to understand everyone,” – says one of the participants, thinking on the question if she knows whether there are some punishments for children who share pictures with provocative content in the network”.
Ten adolescents aged 16-18 from Pleven and Ruse participated in the working group. Participants worked interactively and went through common understanding of certain terms; watched and commented a video clip, drawing attention to potential dangers of free posting of provocative photos and personal data and information in internet, thought on what are the rights of the children and how they could be connected with their personal responsibility, thought about the risks of non responsible behavior and the need of awareness campaigns, targeting children and adults.
During April 2018 BFPA finished its work on a project for reducing the vulnerability of children from sexual exploitation and sexual violence, supported by OAK Foundation. In addition to this focus group, having in mind the importance of the topic and constant efforts of our team, another focus group with students from two other cities, this time form South Bulgaria, will be held in August.
