Debate with NGOs

Child protection summit meets at the Chancellery on Wednesday

According to politicians, more measures are needed to protect children, especially in the online sector.(Bild: dpa-Zentralbild/Patrick Pleul)

How can child protection in the online sector and on social media be improved? Family Minister Susanne Raab and State Secretary for Youth Claudia Plakolm (both ÖVP) are hosting a summit at the Chancellery on Wednesday at which NGOs from the voluntary sector will join in the discussion.

"Following last year's child protection package with significantly harsher penalties for perpetrators, we are also intensifying our efforts for more child protection this year: the Federal Chancellery is doubling its funding for child protection once again this year - more than one million euros are now available for funding," said Raab.

Organizations involved
However, because the measures would only be effective if there is close cooperation between all stakeholders, the child protection summit was organized at the Federal Chancellery to listen to those who deal directly with those affected and implement new concepts - i.e. representatives of youth and sports organizations as well as child protection centers.

Focus on the online sector
A dedicated child protection unit against sexual violence in the digital world is already being developed. "In my view, we must continue to expand preventative measures to protect our children at the same pace as before, especially online," emphasized Plakolm. Child abuse does not only take place in the analog world, but increasingly in social media and via messenger services.

"The new saferinternet.at project against sexual violence in the digital world will be a key building block in the fight against child abuse."

Quality mark for parents coming
Among other things, the Austrian Child Protection Centers and the ECPAT association will present the progress made in setting up the "Quality Assurance Center for Child Protection". The independent "Quality Assurance Center for Child Protection" will be responsible for advising, awarding and recertifying child protection concepts. In future, associations and organizations will be able to have their child protection concepts reviewed and certified by this body.

"This should also become a sign of quality for parents in particular and a visible sign for clubs and organizations that they have dealt with child protection and prevention particularly well," said Plakolm.