Filenews 18 November 2025
The statistics in Cyprus clearly demonstrate the seriousness of the problem. In 2024 alone, 438 reports of child sexual abuse were recorded. To understand the magnitude, this corresponds to a new report every 20 hours – practically, one child every day. And it is only about the children who found the strength to speak, who did not keep the "secret" as the perpetrator asked them to.
Today, Tuesday, November 18, 2025, on the occasion of the European Day for the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the Office of the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights is launching a new campaign aimed at informing and raising awareness of society about the severity, frequency and impact of child sexual abuse in Cyprus. Our goal is to mobilize every citizen towards active action and at the same time to strengthen the voice of children, promoting a society that recognizes, confronts and does not silence abuse.
It calls on all citizens, public and private sector professionals, parents and children, to contribute to the promotion of 5 demands related to the protection of children from sexual abuse:
- Substantial and effective support for children who have experienced any form of sexual abuse, with specialized psychological and social assistance. Amendment of the legislative framework so that the child victim can access mental health services without the consent of the parent(s) and especially in cases where he/she is the perpetrator(s).
- Strengthening the education of children through the course of Life Education, and not only, so that they can recognize risks and protect themselves both in the physical and digital environment.
- Placement of a psychologist in each school, for constant support to children and early detection of danger.
- Early identification and treatment of incidents of inappropriate sexual behaviour towards children, as well as any form of verbal or emotional violation, through integrated prevention and protection policies in schools and services.
- Adoption of more effective detection and immediate removal mechanisms from the internet, of all forms of material related to child abuse, as well as ensuring systematic and close cooperation between the Police, Digital Platforms and the Competent Child Protection Services.
#20ΓιαΣένα: 20 minutes dedicated to the one child who can be saved.
How you can contribute to the campaign:
10:00 – 10:20 a.m.: Activity for Adults:
- Study the 5 demands we propose to strengthen the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
- If you agree with them, we invite you to dedicate 20 minutes of your working time, from 10:00 to 10:20 – one minute for every hour that passes until another child is abused. 20 minutes of action = protection for a child.
- Take a photo of your team holding a piece of paper with #20ΓιαΣένα message and post the photo on Social Media, using the specific hashtag.
10:00 – 10:20 a.m.: Action in Schools:
- The children participate in an educational activity, based on the suggestions sent to the school units.
- Each child is given a post-it in which he records the answer to the question: "What do I need to feel safe?"
- Each child places the post-it in a specially selected space by the school, which we call: "The Wall Has a Voice". The recordings can be posted at the same time by each child or each student council to convey the views of the class on the wall.
- The school unit photographs the Wall and posts it on the school's website or on Social Media with the hashtag #20ΓιαΣένα.
"This Tuesday, November 18, 2025, we are all part of the campaign to declare that no child is alone and that we are all part of a society that protects and supports its children.
Because every child deserves to smile and grow up without fear!", emphasizes the Commissioner's Office.
For the campaign video, tap https://youtu.be/r1s-7kB29bw
