The Lanzarote Committee recommends that Armenia strengthen child protection mechanisms
In its new report, the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Convention Committee recommends paying attention to the fact that most cases of sexual violence against children occur in a trusted environment. The Committee advises Armenia to reinforce preventive and legal measures, particularly regarding individuals who operate within relationships of trust.
The Committee proposes criminalizing cases where sexual acts with a child are committed by a person in a position of trust, authority, or influence. The “circle of trust” includes not only family members but also guardians, teachers, coaches, and anyone with whom a child interacts in a seemingly safe environment — at school, in sports clubs, or online.
The report assesses how the 48 states parties to the Convention protect children — before, during, and after criminal proceedings. The Lanzarote Committee also examines mechanisms for responding to domestic violence and how states work with children who display harmful sexual behavior.
The report emphasizes the importance of control and reintegration systems for offenders. According to the Committee, child protection should become a state priority, and violence committed within a relationship of trust should be considered a particularly serious crime.