On Monday Malta has signed the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Ambassador Joseph Licari, Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, signed the convention on behalf of the Maltese government, he then deposited the instrument of ratification with the Treaty Office of the Council of Europe.

This Convention will establish the various forms of sexual abuse and establish specific programmes to support victims and promote an awareness campaign to encourage people to report suspected sexual exploitation and abuse.

After signing this Convention, Malta together with the other parties have bound themselves to take the necessary legislative or other measures to encourage and support the setting up of information services, such as telephone or Internet help-lines, to provide advice to callers, even confidentially or with due regard for their anonymity.

The Convention says that individuals can be prosecuted for offences committed abroad, this will help to tackle child sex tourism.

The Convention came into force on the 1st of July 2010, and has now eight members.

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