COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND SEXUAL ABUSE

Motion Text

That this House believes that children in the UK and abroad must be protected from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse; further believes that the phenomenon of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children in travel and tourism is a worldwide problem that must be tackled on both a national and international basis; further believes that greater efforts must be made to encourage international co-operation and information sharing about child sex offenders; is deeply concerned that British sex offenders travel abroad to commit offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse against vulnerable children in a range of different circumstances; notes that the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse makes specific provisions for preventing travelling sex offenders from sexually exploiting and abusing children abroad; further notes that the Convention contains measures to encourage co-operation between states in preventing and combating sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, with the overarching aim of promoting mutual legal assistance in investigating and prosecuting offenders; welcomes the fact that the Government signed the Convention on 5 May 2008; and calls on the Government to ratify and implement the Convention immediately.