Even in societies like that of Cyprus, where the institution of family is very strong, several incidents of violence are identified in the family and children are suppressed to avoid social vilification and stigmatization, said MP Stella Kyriakidou.
Kyriakidou was addressing the Parliamentary Network on the campaign of the Council of Europe, “One in Five” to end sexual violence and sexual exploitation against children, held yesterday, in Geneva.
According to an official press release, the Cypriot MP spoke of the issue of combating silence in regards to sexual abuse of minors, as General Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization.
The child victim, said Kyriakidou, will suffer the consequences for the rest of his or her life in terms of physical, psychological and emotional development and health.
For this reason, she noted, the ratification of Lanzarote, which covers the phenomenon in its entirety with clear provisions for the prevention, the protection of victims and the prosecution of perpetrators, is particularly important.
Kyriakidou said that the recent launch of the campaign in Cyprus, which is funded by the Leventis Foundation and the involvement of all the contracting parties, should properly prepare the ground in Cyprus, adding that the country is able to fully implement all obligations arising from the ratification and implementation of this Convention.
