opinion parliamentary committee draft, 5 April 2023
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse
Document FEMM-PA-746640 · (COM (2022)0209 – C9-0174/2022 – 2022/155 (COD))
Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality · Rapporteur: Heléne Fritzon
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Short justification 232 paragraphs
On 11 May 2022, the European Commission published its legislative proposal for a Regulation on laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. The aim of this proposal is to lay down rules to detect and report child sexual abuse online, prevent child sexual abuse and save and support victims, 96% of which were estimated in 2021 to be girls according to the INHOPE network. Central to the proposal is addressing the misuse of relevant information society services for online child sexual abuse material and grooming, both of which predominantly concern and target girls and young women while the perpetrators are pre-dominantly men.
The Rapporteur would like to highlight the importance of recognising that child sexual abuse is to a large extent an expression of gender-based violence. Therefore, combating the online aspects of this crime has to take into consideration gender specific approaches.
The Rapporteur suggests a series of amendments in order to reinforce prevention measures through, among other things, awareness raising campaigns tailored specifically by age and gender. She also emphasises the need to provide specialised response and support to victims and survivors with an integrated gender perspective. In this regard, the Rapporteur supports the creation of the EU Centre and proposes the establishment of an Advisory Board representing survivors and children’s rights experts. The Advisory Board would provide structured advice to the governance structures of the EU Centre on matters concerning children’s rights, prevention measures and victims’ and survivors’ support.
In addition, the Rapporteur would like to strengthen overall data collection disaggregated by age and gender, and on research and statistics, she proposes close collaboration between the EU Centre and the European Institute for Gender Equality.
Finally, the Rapporteur believes that this Regulation could make a significant difference in combating child sexual abuse for all children and contributing to a safer online experience.
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality calls on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, as the committee responsible, to take the following into account the following amendments:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) Information society services have become very important for communication, expression, gathering of information and many other aspects of present-day life, including for children but also for perpetrators of child sexual abuse offences. Such offences, which are subject to minimum rules set at Union level, are very serious criminal offences that need to be prevented and combated effectively in order to protect children’s rights and well-being, as is required under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (‘Charter’), and to protect society at large. Users of such services offered in the Union should be able to trust that the services concerned can be used safely, especially by children. | (1) Information society services have become very important for communication, expression, gathering of information and many other aspects of present-day life, including for children but also for perpetrators of child sexual abuse offences. Child sexual abuse has a disproportionate impact on girls as the vast majority of child sexual abuse material is depicting girls, and girls are overrepresented in cases of solicitation of children, while men are overrepresented as perpetrators. According to reports, 96% of child sexual abuse material is estimated in 2021 to have affected girls1a. Such offences, which are subject to minimum rules set at Union level, are very serious criminal offences that need to be prevented and combated effectively in order to protect children’s rights and well-being, as is required under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (‘Charter’), in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which has been ratified by all Member States, and to protect society at large. Users of such services offered in the Union should be able to trust that the services concerned can be used safely, especially by children. |
| 1a INHOPE network of hotlines for reporting child sexual abuse material, Annual Report 2021. https://inhope.org/media/pages/articles/annual-reports/8fd77f3014-1652348841/inhope-annual-report-2021.pdf |
Or. en
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Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1 a) Children are increasingly connected at an early age, and girls are at greater risk of encountering and being subjected to cyber violence. Overall, one in ten women has experienced some form of gender-based cyber violence since the age of 152a. 58% of girls have experienced online harassment. The digital sphere has disproportionate risks for girls and women, as they are particularly affected by gender-based cyber violence. Online sexual violence is at an all-time high, with sexual harassment, sexual abuse and grooming exponentially affecting girls and young women. Child sexual abuse is to a large extent an expression of violence against girls and young women, therefore it is key to integrate a gender perspective in all measures taken to prevent and combat online child sexual abuse and intercepting online solicitation of children while at the same time addressing the root causes of gender-based violence. | |
| 2a EIGE. Combating Cyber Violence against Women in Girls, report 2022. https://eige.europa.eu/publications/combating-cyber-violence-against-women-and-girls |
Or. en
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (4 a) In order to effectively prevent online child sexual abuse, Member States should strengthen all preventive measures, including but not limited to awareness raising, guaranteeing comprehensive sexuality and relationships education in all schools, introducing digital skills, literacy and safety online programs at schools, ensuring the full availability of specialized support services tailored by gender and age for child victims of sexual abuse and children in vulnerable situations. |
Or. en
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (14) With a view to minimising the risk that their services are misused for the dissemination of known or new child sexual abuse material or the solicitation of children, providers of hosting services and providers of publicly available interpersonal communications services should assess such risk for each of the services that they offer in the Union. To guide their risk assessment, a non-exhaustive list of elements to be taken into account should be provided. To allow for a full consideration of the specific characteristics of the services they offer, providers should be allowed to take account of additional elements where relevant. As risks evolve over time, in function of developments such as those related to technology and the manners in which the services in question are offered and used, it is appropriate to ensure that the risk assessment is updated regularly and when needed for particular reasons. | (14) With a view to minimising the risk that their services are misused for the dissemination of known or new child sexual abuse material or the solicitation of children, providers of hosting services and providers of publicly available interpersonal communications services should assess such risk including based on gender and age of child users for each of the services that they offer in the Union. To guide their risk assessment, a non-exhaustive list of elements to be taken into account should be provided. To allow for a full consideration of the specific characteristics of the services they offer, providers should be allowed to take account of additional elements where relevant. As risks evolve over time, in function of developments such as those related to technology and the manners in which the services in question are offered and used, it is appropriate to ensure that the risk assessment is updated regularly and when needed for particular reasons. |
Or. en
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (36) Given the impact on the rights of victims depicted in such known child sexual abuse material and the typical ability of providers of hosting services to limit that impact by helping ensure that the material is no longer available on their services, those providers should assist victims who request the removal or disabling of access of the material in question. That assistance should remain limited to what can reasonably be asked from the provider concerned under the given circumstances, having regard to factors such as the content and scope of the request, the steps needed to locate the items of known child sexual abuse material concerned and the means available to the provider. The assistance could consist, for example, of helping to locate the items, carrying out checks and removing or disabling access to the items. Considering that carrying out the activities needed to obtain such removal or disabling of access can be painful or even traumatic as well as complex, victims should also have the right to be assisted by the EU Centre in this regard, via the Coordinating Authorities. | (36) Given the impact on the rights of victims depicted in such known child sexual abuse material and the typical ability of providers of hosting services to limit that impact by helping ensure that the material is no longer available on their services, those providers should assist victims who request the removal or disabling of access of the material in question. That assistance should remain limited to what can reasonably be asked from the provider concerned under the given circumstances, having regard to factors such as the content and scope of the request, the steps needed to locate the items of known child sexual abuse material concerned and the means available to the provider. The assistance could consist, for example, of helping to locate the items, carrying out checks and removing or disabling access to the items. Considering that carrying out the activities needed to obtain such removal or disabling of access can be painful or even traumatic as well as complex, victims should also have the right to receive gender-sensitive support and to be assisted by the EU Centre in this regard, via the Coordinating Authorities taking into account the vulnerabilities of the victim and disproportionate psychological effects on girls. |
Or. en
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (60) In the interest of legal certainty and effectiveness, the tasks of the EU Centre should be listed in a clear and comprehensive manner. With a view to ensuring the proper implementation of this Regulation, those tasks should relate in particular to the facilitation of the detection, reporting and blocking obligations imposed on providers of hosting services, providers of publicly available interpersonal communications services and providers of internet access services. However, for that same reason, the EU Centre should also be charged with certain other tasks, notably those relating to the implementation of the risk assessment and mitigation obligations of providers of relevant information society services, the removal of or disabling of access to child sexual abuse material by providers of hosting services, the provision of assistance to Coordinating Authorities, as well as the generation and sharing of knowledge and expertise related to online child sexual abuse. | (60) In the interest of legal certainty and effectiveness, the tasks of the EU Centre should be listed in a clear and comprehensive manner. With a view to ensuring the proper implementation of this Regulation, those tasks should relate in particular to the facilitation of the detection, reporting and blocking obligations imposed on providers of hosting services, providers of publicly available interpersonal communications services and providers of internet access services. However, for that same reason, the EU Centre should also be charged with certain other tasks, notably those relating to the implementation of the risk assessment and mitigation obligations of providers of relevant information society services, the removal of or disabling of access to child sexual abuse material by providers of hosting services, the provision of assistance to Coordinating Authorities, as well as the generation and sharing of knowledge and expertise related to online child sexual abuse. The EU Centre will act as a centre for expertise, collecting, facilitating the exchange and dissemination of best practices and approaches on prevention, educational developments related to media literacy and digital skills in accordance with the Commission Communication A Digital Decade for children and youth: the new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+), while integrating a child rights perspective and ensuring a gender-sensitive and age-appropriate approach. |
Or. en
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (66) With a view to contributing to the effective application of this Regulation and the protection of victims’ rights, the EU Centre should be able, upon request, to support victims and to assist Competent Authorities by conducting searches of hosting services for the dissemination of known child sexual abuse material that is publicly accessible, using the corresponding indicators. Where it identifies such material after having conducted such a search, the EU Centre should also be able to request the provider of the hosting service concerned to remove or disable access to the item or items in question, given that the provider may not be aware of their presence and may be willing to do so on a voluntary basis. | (66) With a view to contributing to the effective application of this Regulation and the protection of victims’ rights, the EU Centre should be able, upon request, to support victims and to assist Competent Authorities by conducting searches of hosting services for the dissemination of known child sexual abuse material that is publicly accessible, using the corresponding indicators. Where it identifies such material after having conducted such a search, the EU Centre should also be able to request the provider of the hosting service concerned to remove or disable access to the item or items in question, given that the provider may not be aware of their presence and may be willing to do so on a voluntary basis. The EU Centre should be able to work in cooperation with, and refer child victims to, relevant competent authorities and support services, such as victim protection centres, women’s shelters, children’s specialised services, social services, children's rights organisation, and healthcare professionals in the Member States, while ensuring a gender-sensitive approach and a child rights perspective. |
Or. en
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 67
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (67) Given its central position resulting from the performance of its primary tasks under this Regulation and the information and expertise it can gather in connection thereto, the EU Centre should also contribute to the achievement of the objectives of this Regulation by serving as a hub for knowledge, expertise and research on matters related to the prevention and combating of online child sexual abuse. In this connection, the EU Centre should cooperate with relevant stakeholders from both within and outside the Union and allow Member States to benefit from the knowledge and expertise gathered, including best practices and lessons learned. | (67) Given its central position resulting from the performance of its primary tasks under this Regulation and the information and expertise it can gather in connection thereto, the EU Centre should also contribute to the achievement of the objectives of this Regulation by serving as a hub for knowledge, best practice, expertise and research on matters related to the prevention and combating of online child sexual abuse. In this connection, the EU Centre should cooperate with relevant stakeholders from both within and outside the Union and allow Member States to benefit from the knowledge and expertise gathered, including best practices and lessons learned. The EU Centre should allow Member States to benefit from knowledge and expertise on digital empowerment programs for children that are age-appropriate and gender-sensitive. |
Or. en
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (74 a) Given the purpose of this regulation, to combat and prevent child sexual abuse, the EU Center should have a Children's Rights and Survivors Advisory Board composed of experts with advisory function relating to children’s rights and the victims’ and survivors' perspective. The Children's Rights and Survivors Advisory Board may, in particular, provide expertise to support the work of the EU Centre, within the scope of its mandate. |
Or. en
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (74 b) In order to achieve the objectives of this Regulation all staffing related to the the EU Centre and the Coordinating authorities, the Advisory Committees, as well as the composition throughout administrative and management structures as established in Article 55 shall be gender balanced, taking into account the principle of gender mainstreaming. A gender sensitive approach is instrumental to achieving the objectives of this Regulation. |
Or. en
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 75
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (75) In the interest of transparency and accountability and to enable evaluation and, where necessary, adjustments, providers of hosting services, providers of publicly available interpersonal communications services and providers of internet access services, Coordinating Authorities and the EU Centre should be required to collect, record and analyse information, based on anonymised gathering of non-personal data and to publish annual reports on their activities under this Regulation. The Coordinating Authorities should cooperate with Europol and with law enforcement authorities and other relevant national authorities of the Member State that designated the Coordinating Authority in question in gathering that information. | (75) In the interest of transparency and accountability and to enable evaluation and, where necessary, adjustments, providers of hosting services, providers of publicly available interpersonal communications services and providers of internet access services, Coordinating Authorities and the EU Centre should be required to collect, record and analyse gender- and age-disaggregated data and information, based on anonymised gathering of non-personal data and to publish annual reports on their activities under this Regulation. The Coordinating Authorities should cooperate with Europol and with law enforcement authorities and other relevant national authorities of the Member State that designated the Coordinating Authority in question in gathering that information. |
Or. en
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 77
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (77) The evaluation should be based on the criteria of efficiency, necessity, effectiveness, proportionality, relevance, coherence and Union added value. It should assess the functioning of the different operational and technical measures provided for by this Regulation, including the effectiveness of measures to enhance the detection, reporting and removal of online child sexual abuse, the effectiveness of safeguard mechanisms as well as the impacts on potentially affected fundamental rights, the freedom to conduct a business, the right to private life and the protection of personal data. The Commission should also assess the impact on potentially affected interests of third parties. | (77) The evaluation should be based on the criteria of efficiency, necessity, effectiveness, proportionality, relevance, coherence, the principle of gender mainstreaming, and Union added value. It should assess the functioning of the different operational and technical measures provided for by this Regulation, including the effectiveness of measures to enhance the detection, reporting and removal of online child sexual abuse, the effectiveness of safeguard mechanisms as well as the impacts on potentially affected fundamental rights, children's rights, the freedom to conduct a business, the right to private life and the protection of personal data. The Commission should also assess the impact on potentially affected interests of third parties. |
Or. en
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 78
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (78) Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 of the European Parliament and of the Council45 provides for a temporary solution in respect of the use of technologies by certain providers of publicly available interpersonal communications services for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse, pending the preparation and adoption of a long-term legal framework. This Regulation provides that long-term legal framework. Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 should therefore be repealed. | (78) Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 of the European Parliament and of the Council45 provides for a temporary solution in respect of the use of technologies by certain providers of publicly available interpersonal communications services for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse, pending the preparation and adoption of a long-term legal framework. This Regulation provides that long-term legal framework. Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 should therefore be repealed when this Regulation is in effect and when the first detection orders have been implemented. |
| 45 Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 July 2021 on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC as regards the use of technologies by providers of number-independent interpersonal communications services for the processing of personal and other data for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse (OJ L 274, 30.7.2021, p. 41). | 45 Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 July 2021 on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC as regards the use of technologies by providers of number-independent interpersonal communications services for the processing of personal and other data for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse (OJ L 274, 30.7.2021, p. 41). |
Or. en
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Victims’ right to information | Victims’ right to information and support |
Or. en
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Persons residing in the Union shall have the right to receive, upon their request, from the Coordinating Authority designated by the Member State where they reside, information regarding any instances where the dissemination of known child sexual abuse material depicting them is reported to the EU Centre pursuant to Article 12. Persons with disabilities shall have the right to ask and receive such an information in a manner accessible to them. | Any child victim and/or their guardian, with the consent of the child, as well as any adult survivor or their legal representative residing in the Union shall have the right to receive, upon their request, from the Coordinating Authority designated by the Member State where they reside, age-appropriate information regarding any instances where the dissemination of known child sexual abuse material depicting them is reported to the EU Centre pursuant to Article 12 and referral to support services. Persons with disabilities shall have the right to ask and receive such an information in a manner accessible to them. |
Or. en
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2 a. The Coordinating Authority shall ensure that child victims and/or their guardian and adult survivors are informed about victim support services where the victims can receive age-appropriate and gender-sensitive information and support. |
Or. en
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (d a) information regarding age-appropriate and gender-sensitive victim support services to provide the child, family and survivors with adequate emotional and psychosocial support as well as practical and legal assistance. |
Or. en
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 5
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5. Each Member State shall ensure that a contact point is designated or established within the Coordinating Authority’s office to handle requests for clarification, feedback and other communications in relation to all matters related to the application and enforcement of this Regulation in that Member State. Member States shall make the information on the contact point publicly available and communicate it to the EU Centre. They shall keep that information updated. | 5. Each Member State shall ensure that a contact point is designated or established within the Coordinating Authority’s office to handle requests for clarification, feedback and other communications in relation to all matters related to the application and enforcement of this Regulation in that Member State. Member States shall make the information on the contact point publicly available, shall disseminate this information through gender-sensitive awareness raising campaigns in public places frequented by children, and girls in particular, and shall communicate it to the EU Centre. They shall keep that information updated. |
Or. en
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – point d a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (d a) provide knowledge and expertise on appropriate prevention techniques tailored by age and gender against online solicitation of children and the dissemination of child sexual abuse material online. |
Or. en
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 8 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 8 a. The EU Centre shall support Member States in designing preventive and gender-sensitive measures, such as awareness-raising campaigns to combat child sexual abuse, guaranteeing comprehensive sexuality and relationships education in all schools, introducing digital skills, literacy and safety online programs in formal education, ensuring the full availability of specialized support services tailored by gender and age for child victims of sexual abuse and children in vulnerable situations. |
Or. en
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 9 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 9 a. In its contact with victims and survivors or in any decision affecting victims and survivors, the Coordinating Authority shall operate in an age-appropriate and gender-sensitive way that minimises risks to victims and survivors, especially children, addresses harm of victims and meets their needs. It shall operate in a victim and gender sensitive manner which prioritises recognising and listening to the victim, avoids secondary victimisation and retraumatisation, and systematically focuses on their safety, rights, well-being, expressed needs and choices, and ensures they are treated in an empathetic, sensitive and non-judgmental way. |
Or. en
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) collecting, recording, analysing and providing information, providing analysis based on anonymised and non-personal data gathering, and providing expertise on matters regarding the prevention and combating of online child sexual abuse, in accordance with Article 51; | (a) collecting, recording, analysing and providing gender and age specific information, providing analysis based on anonymised and non-personal data gathering, including gender and age disaggregated data, and providing expertise on matters regarding the prevention and combating of online child sexual abuse, in accordance with Article 51; |
Or. en
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b) supporting the development and dissemination of research and expertise on those matters and on assistance to victims, including by serving as a hub of expertise to support evidence-based policy; | (b) supporting the development and dissemination of research and expertise on those matters and on assistance to victims, taking into account the gender dimension, including by serving as a hub of expertise to support evidence-based policy; |
Or. en
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b a) providing technical expertise and promoting the exchange of best practices among Member States on raising awareness for the prevention of child sexual abuse online in formal, and non-formal education, and such efforts should be age-appropriate and gender-sensitive; |
Or. en
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b b) exchanging best practices among Coordinating Authorities regarding the available tools to reduce the risk of children becoming victims of sexual abuse and to provide specialized assistance to victims, in an age-appropriate and gender-sensitive way. |
Or. en
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b c) referring victims to appropriate child protection services; |
Or. en
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (c a) in its engagement with victims or in any decision affecting victims, the EU Centre shall operate in a way that minimises risks to victims, especially children, addresses harm of victims and meets their needs in an age-appropriate, and gender- and victim-sensitive manner. |
Or. en
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Before including specific technologies on those lists, the EU Centre shall request the opinion of its Technology Committee and of the European Data Protection Board. The Technology Committee and the European Data Protection Board shall deliver their respective opinions within eight weeks. That period may be extended by a further six weeks where necessary, taking into account the complexity of the subject matter. The Technology Committee and the European Data Protection Board shall inform the EU Centre of any such extension within one month of receipt of the request for consultation, together with the reasons for the delay. | Before including specific technologies on those lists, the EU Centre shall request the opinion of its Technology Committee, its Children's Rights and Survivors Advisory Board, and of the European Data Protection Board. The Technology Committee, the Children's Rights and Survivors Advisory Board, and the European Data Protection Board shall deliver their respective opinions within eight weeks. That period may be extended by a further six weeks where necessary, taking into account the complexity of the subject matter. The Technology Committee, the Children's Rights and Survivors Advisory Board, and the European Data Protection Board shall inform the EU Centre of any such extension within one month of receipt of the request for consultation, together with the reasons for the delay. |
Or. en
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. The EU Centre shall collect, record, analyse and make available relevant, objective, reliable and comparable information on matters related to the prevention and combating of child sexual abuse, in particular: | 2. The EU Centre shall collect, record, analyse and make available to the Commission, Member States, the European Institute for Gender Equality, civil society organisations and the public relevant, anonymous sex- and age disaggregated data, objective, reliable and comparable information on matters related to the prevention and combating of child sexual abuse, in particular: |
Or. en
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 3. Where necessary for the performance of its tasks under this Regulation, the EU Centre shall carry out, participate in or encourage research, surveys and studies, either on its own initiative or, where appropriate and compatible with its priorities and its annual work programme, at the request of the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission. | 3. Where necessary for the performance of its tasks under this Regulation, the EU Centre shall carry out, participate in or encourage research, surveys and studies, either on its own initiative or, where appropriate and compatible with its priorities and its annual work programme, at the request of the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission. The EU Centre will support Member States, the Coordinating Authorities and other relevant actors including the European Institute for Gender Equality in conducting research, taking into account specificities on age and gender. |
Or. en
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 5
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5. The EU Centre shall develop a communication strategy and promote dialogue with civil society organisations and providers of hosting or interpersonal communication services to raise public awareness of online child sexual abuse and measures to prevent and combat such abuse. | 5. The EU Centre shall develop a communication strategy and promote dialogue with civil society organisations and providers of hosting or interpersonal communication services to raise public awareness of online child sexual abuse and measures to prevent and combat such abuse. Communication campaigns shall be easily understandable and accessible to all children, their families and educators in formal, and non-formal education in the Union, aiming to improve digital literacy and ensure a safe digital environment for children. Communication campaigns shall take into account the gender dimension of the crime. |
Or. en
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 50 a | |
| Children's Rights and Survivors Advisory Board | |
| 1. An Advisory Board representing children’s rights experts, victims and survivors will be established within the EU Centre. The Advisory Board shall consist of survivors and representatives of relevant organisations such as civil society working in the field and children rights organisations. The members of the Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Management Board in view of their experience, expertise and scope of work, following the publication of a call for expressions of interest in the Official Journal of the European Union. | |
| 2. The members of the Advisory Board shall act in the public interest. The list of members of the Advisory Board shall be made public and shall be updated by the EU Centre on its website. | |
| 3. The members shall be appointed from the Member States taking into consideration geographical distribution and gender balance with at least 40% of candidates of each sex. | |
| 4. The members shall liaise with the contact officers of the Coordinating Authority, as per their Member State. If they have dual nationality, they must choose the relevant Coordinating Authority. | |
| 5. The members will be called on to provide structured advice at least two times a year. | |
| 6. The Advisory Board shall: | |
| (a) contribute to the EU Centre’s assistance to the Management Board, the Executive Board and the Executive Director, and the Technology Committee in respect to matters related to children's rights, victims and survivors; | |
| (b) be granted the rights to comment, as one, on any documentation or public matters shared by the EU Centre, such as the technological list of detection techniques. | |
| (c) provide internally, upon request, expertise for the purposes of preventing and combating child sexual abuse online. |
Or. en
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Article 54 – paragraph 1 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1 a. With regards to the gender dimension of child sexual abuse, particular focus shall be placed on cooperation with the European Institute for Gender Equality. The EU Centre shall also gather anonymous age- and gender-disaggregated child sexual abuse statistics and prevalence rates, best practices for prevention and assistance to victims, and share their expertise and facilitate cooperation with the European Institute for Gender Equality. |
Or. en
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| The administrative and management structure of the EU Centre shall comprise: | The administrative and management structure of the EU Centre shall be gender-balanced and comprise: |
Or. en
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (d a) a Children's Rights and Survivors Advisory Board, which shall exercise the tasks set out in Article 50a. |
Or. en
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 56 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. The Management Board shall be composed of one representative from each Member State and two representatives of the Commission, all as members with voting rights. | 1. The Management Board shall be gender-balanced and composed of one representative from each Member State and two representatives of the Commission, all as members with voting rights. |
Or. en
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 56 – paragraph 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 4. Members of the Management Board and their alternates shall be appointed in the light of their knowledge in the field of combating child sexual abuse, taking into account relevant managerial, administrative and budgetary skills. Member States shall appoint a representative of their Coordinating Authority, within four months of [date of entry into force of this Regulation]. All parties represented in the Management Board shall make efforts to limit turnover of their representatives, in order to ensure continuity of its work. All parties shall aim to achieve a balanced representation between men and women on the Management Board. | 4. Members of the Management Board and their alternates shall be appointed in the light of their knowledge in the field of combating child sexual abuse, taking into account relevant managerial, administrative and budgetary skills. Member States shall appoint a representative of their Coordinating Authority, within four months of [date of entry into force of this Regulation]. All parties represented in the Management Board shall make efforts to limit turnover of their representatives, in order to ensure continuity of its work. All parties shall ensure that gender balance between men and women is achieved on the Management Board with at least 40% of candidates of each sex. |
Or. en
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| The Executive Board shall be composed of the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the Management Board, two other members appointed by the Management Board from among its members with the right to vote and two representatives of the Commission to the Management Board. The Chairperson of the Management Board shall also be the Chairperson of the Executive Board. | The Executive Board shall be gender-balanced and composed of the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the Management Board, two other members appointed by the Management Board from among its members with the right to vote and two representatives of the Commission to the Management Board. The Chairperson of the Management Board shall also be the Chairperson of the Executive Board. The composition of the Executive Board shall take into consideration gender balance with at least 40% is of each sex. |
Or. en
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – point e a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (e a) implementing gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting in all areas. |
Or. en
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. The Technology Committee shall consist of technical experts appointed by the Management Board in view of their excellence and their independence, following the publication of a call for expressions of interest in the Official Journal of the European Union. | 1. The Technology Committee shall consist of technical experts appointed by the Management Board in view of their excellence and their independence, following the publication of a call for expressions of interest in the Official Journal of the European Union, ensuring that that gender balance is respected with at least 40% of candidates of each sex. |
Or. en
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. Each year the Executive Director shall draw up a draft statement of estimates of the EU Centre’s revenue and expenditure for the following financial year, including an establishment plan, and shall send it to the Executive Board. | 1. Each year the Executive Director shall draw up a draft statement of estimates of the EU Centre’s revenue and expenditure for the following financial year, including an establishment plan, a gender analysis and shall use gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting and send it to the Executive Board. |
Or. en
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 5 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5 a. The budget shall comply with the principle of gender mainstreaming and practise of gender budgeting shall be implemented |
Or. en
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 71 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. The Executive Board, in agreement with the Commission, shall adopt the necessary implementing measures, in accordance with the arrangements provided for in Article 110 of the Staff Regulations. | 2. The Executive Board, in agreement with the Commission, shall adopt the necessary implementing measures, in accordance with the arrangements provided for in Article 110 of the Staff Regulations, and shall ensure that staff will be appropriately skilled and experienced while guarenteeing gender balance. |
Or. en
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 72 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. The EU Centre may make use of seconded national experts or other staff not employed by it. | 1. The EU Centre may make use of seconded national experts or other staff not employed by it taking into consideration experience and skills, while ensuring that gender balance is respected. |
Or. en
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 89 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. | This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. |
| As from August 2024, if there is no entry into force of the proposed regulation, the regime in place should be the one of the interim derogation, until such adoption is envisaged. |
Or. en