The organization of the seminar by the Legal Service in cooperation with the Implementation Council of the National Strategy for Combating Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation and Child Pornography, Voice Council, is done with a view to achieving our common goal of protecting the rights of vulnerable witnesses, children.
In particular, I would like to welcome and address my thanks to the distinguished speakers, the Honourable President of the Larnaca District Court Ms. Elena Efraim and the Honourable Associate Professor of Forensic Psychology of the University of Crete Ms. Olga Themelis for the interesting and multi-thematic lectures they will present at the seminar.
The purpose of today's seminar is the training of Legal Service Officers in relation to the better presentation of the most serious criminal cases concerning sexual abuse and exploitation offences involving child victims (as well as Officers who come into contact with children in relation to parental custody cases).
Training, which is part of the strategy and priorities we have set as a Legal Service (or together with the Attorney General) for the particular approach but also the effectiveness required to be demonstrated in handling cases with vulnerable witnesses, children.
Today's training seminar for the members of the Legal Service is also part of the legal obligation arising from the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention), which was ratified by the Republic by Law No. 21(III)/2014, as well as by the Law on Preventing and Combating Sexual Abuse or Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography 2014 (91(I)/2014).
Specifically, Article 36 of the Convention expressly provides for the obligation of Council of Europe member states to take legislative measures to ensure that education on children's rights and child sexual exploitation and abuse is provided for the benefit of all persons involved in the proceedings, namely Judges, Prosecutors and Lawyers.
The requirement for regular training for members of the Legal Service who may come into contact with children, vulnerable witnesses, becomes even more necessary given the alarming increase in levels of sexual abuse and exploitation of children in recent years. This has resulted in a significant number of cases being filed before the Courts of Cassation and District Courts.
Therefore, a proper approach to the child vulnerable witness by all agencies involved becomes necessary and imperative. Considering that the well-being of children and the healthy formation of their personality are fundamental values that must be protected and promoted without discrimination, our contribution to the assertion and protection of their rights, at all stages, investigation, approach of the child by the Prosecutor, hearing, is imperative.
The child victim of sexual abuse and exploitation is not the ordinary witness, but the vulnerable witness who needs protection and must be treated as such. As author Olga Themelis documents in her book "Children Testify", it is children's exposure to painful procedures that is responsible for their vulnerability, not their age immaturity. The status of being a minor is subordinated to that of a witness, with the result that the minor is examined as an adult since the whole criminal procedure is adapted to the needs of adults. It is for these reasons that the Legal Officer during the hearing, and particularly during the cross-examination of the child, must be vigilant and intervene when necessary, making appropriate objections when the cross-examination is becoming too forceful or conducted in a heated tone, when complex or incomprehensible questions are put to the child or misleading ones, when the cross-examination extends beyond a reasonable time.
At this point I would like to highlight the important role of the Voice of the Child Council, the Voice of the Child and the essential work it carries out, always in the best interests of the child, at all levels, preventing and combating sexual abuse and exploitation of children. With its innovative reforms to treat children as vulnerable witnesses, the Voice Council has been the initiator for the operation of the model Children's Home where the full range of necessary services is provided under one roof, such as visualized testimony, mainly examination and cross-examination of the child, procedures which are carried out in a supportive and friendly environment.
Finally, I would like to congratulate the officials of the Legal Service for their competence and efficiency in handling cases involving child vulnerable witnesses and for their sensitivity in safeguarding and protecting the rights of children.
(ML)
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