06/12/2007: Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP-ED, GR) joined the conference on "sexually-mistreated and missing children" in Brussels in her role as President of the Intergroup "Family and Child Protection". The conference was organised by the Missing Children Europe Group, which works with more than 27 national NGOs, among them the Greek organisation "Hamogelo tou Paidiou". The group's goals are being supported by many well-known people such as Bernadette Chirac and Her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, Silvia. The opening speech of the conference was delivered by the European Commission President's spouse, Margarida Sousa Uva Barroso.
In her report, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou presented a European Community framework and Directive to protect under-aged and children from child pornography and sexual abuse. She also announced the planning of a new Strategy for the Rights of Children, with goals such as the comprehension of Children's Rights in the European Union. This strategy strengthens children's position in domestic and foreign policy, in education, in social security and medical prevention.
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou emphasised: “The legislation exists, but there is a lack of obligatory support from Member States, public and private sectors to combat the violence, the crime and the sexual mistreatment of children and wards. The Member States have to make sure, by law, that sexual predators are not allowed to work with or to take care of children."
The rapporteur, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, presented the Daphne III Programme which was adopted by the European Union on May 2007, for the period 2007-2013. The programme's aims are to battle criminality and violence (of a physical, psychological and sexual nature) against women, the under-aged, children, and the adequate support and treatment of the victims.
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou also emphasised the importance of cooperation between international organisations and the European Commission to plan a common policy on this subject: "The cooperation in targeted systems like AMBER ALERT, the European Hotline 116 000, the support of NGOs and the cooperation of parents and citizens are necessary instruments to support and protect under-aged and children."
In conclusion, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou gave a favourable opinion to the creation of a Hotline by the Greek Government for the protection of missing children. At the same time, she supports the amendment in the legislation to rescind the privacy of correspondence, both written and electronic, of defendants in cases of sexual abuse of children and under-aged and the tightening of the legislation to protect wards and children.
For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447
Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu
In her report, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou presented a European Community framework and Directive to protect under-aged and children from child pornography and sexual abuse. She also announced the planning of a new Strategy for the Rights of Children, with goals such as the comprehension of Children's Rights in the European Union. This strategy strengthens children's position in domestic and foreign policy, in education, in social security and medical prevention.
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou emphasised: “The legislation exists, but there is a lack of obligatory support from Member States, public and private sectors to combat the violence, the crime and the sexual mistreatment of children and wards. The Member States have to make sure, by law, that sexual predators are not allowed to work with or to take care of children."
The rapporteur, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, presented the Daphne III Programme which was adopted by the European Union on May 2007, for the period 2007-2013. The programme's aims are to battle criminality and violence (of a physical, psychological and sexual nature) against women, the under-aged, children, and the adequate support and treatment of the victims.
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou also emphasised the importance of cooperation between international organisations and the European Commission to plan a common policy on this subject: "The cooperation in targeted systems like AMBER ALERT, the European Hotline 116 000, the support of NGOs and the cooperation of parents and citizens are necessary instruments to support and protect under-aged and children."
In conclusion, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou gave a favourable opinion to the creation of a Hotline by the Greek Government for the protection of missing children. At the same time, she supports the amendment in the legislation to rescind the privacy of correspondence, both written and electronic, of defendants in cases of sexual abuse of children and under-aged and the tightening of the legislation to protect wards and children.
For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447
Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu
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