The Basque Ombudsman presents its Guidelines for responding to cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation in the Basque Country

The Guidelines aim at improving co-ordination between the different authorities and services intervening in cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation (health and social services, legal assistance, prosecution service and justice). Their ultimate objective is to ensure the smooth transit of victims between these different systems and to prevent re-victimisation. The Guidelines take a decided child-rights approach, and they have been elaborated in collaboration with all stakeholders involved. They detail each intervening actor's duties and functions, as well as the sequence in which they should intervene and their timing. They also include a set of recommendations.

The Guidelines were presented in a hybrid event with relevant stakeholders on Tuesday, 18 May. You can find more information about them here, or read the full Guidelines in Basque or Spanish.