The Republic's Law Office hails a major institutional breakthrough for the Cyprus Presidency after striking a deal with the European Parliament to modernize anti-abuse laws.

A Major Institutional Milestone for Cyprus

The political agreement reached on the revised European directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children constitutes a significant institutional milestone for the Cyprus Presidency, the Republic’s Law Office said in a statement on Monday, noting that it handled the relevant file on behalf of the Council of the European Union during the negotiations.

According to the Law Office, the agreement between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament was achieved following six months of intensive negotiations and coordinated efforts at European level.

Modernizing Protections Against Digital and AI Threats

The statement said the revised directive represents a substantial reform of the existing legal framework, modernising and strengthening current provisions aimed at combating child sexual abuse and exploitation, particularly in the digital environment.

It further noted that new offences are being introduced to address challenges linked to technological developments, including the use of artificial intelligence systems to commit such crimes. At the same time, the directive clarifies the framework governing consent and significantly extends limitation periods for a number of offences, including rape.

Member states will have three years to transpose the directive into their national legislation, according to the Law Office.

Concluding, the Law Office said that “the achievement of this agreement constitutes a significant institutional milestone for the Cyprus Presidency, as strengthening the protection of children and improving the response to these particularly serious crimes had been among its key priorities from the outset”.

Enhanced Support Services and Reporting Mandates

In a statement following the agreement, the European Parliament said the updated legislation introduces stronger protections for victims and survivors of abuse, including access to specialised support services, child-friendly assistance mechanisms and improved access to compensation. It also strengthens reporting obligations and seeks to ensure that professional secrecy rules do not prevent the reporting of suspected abuse where there are reasonable grounds for concern.

“The law ensures that member states put in place specialised and appropriate support for victims” and that child victims have access to “assessment, support and protection in a child-friendly setting”, the European Parliament said.

The Parliament also stressed that the new rules aim to improve prevention measures, facilitate the reporting of offences and reinforce the role of child protection organisations across the European Union.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)