Recognizing that abuse (physical and sexual) of minors is on the rise and must be addressed, the Prime Minister began Kyriakos Mitsotakis his speech in Parliament during the discussion of the National Action Plan for the Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

“According to the Council of Europe, every fifth child may be a victim of sexual exploitation. In Greece, the percentage is 16% and the vast majority are family members. It is known that there are much fewer of them, about 2%,” he said.

He noted that cases of sexual exploitation of children have recently increased in Greece, although he stressed that it is encouraging that these incidents are now being reported and the Greek police are investigating several cases.

On the other hand, Mr. Mitsotakis notes that often the perpetrator is not punished, stereotypes favor silence, and victims are stigmatized.

The Prime Minister noted that the polynomial leads to delays in the prosecution of crimes, and eternal bindings come as a reward for cover-ups.

This is where the National Action Plan intervenes, which is a roadmap that starts with prevention, moves to swift investigation, punishing those responsible, and treating the victims.

The goal, as the Prime Minister said, is zero tolerance for sexual abuse and child exploitation.

“The initiative we are taking is not just a constitutional obligation, but a democratic responsibility,” he said.

Mr. Mitsotakis wished that this plan would be supported by all political forces, as well as that the public discussion would be broad and constructive.

As he explained, “The plan sets goals with a five-year horizon to make all institutional functions more child-friendly. Procedures for justice and protection must be harmonized.”

“At another level, the national plan finally brings order to the multifaceted legislative mosaic. It eliminates ambiguities and levels disparate provisions. All agencies acquire a clear environment that defines the boundaries of their activities. With several surgical horizontal incisions, the National Action Plan is reorganizing how all services respond to a case.”

Introducing the national plan to combat child abuse, the Prime Minister noted that it included a total of 80 measures aimed at effective prevention, protection and care of minors.

The plan includes, among other things, the creation of a national register for the registration and supervision of sex offenders, a national protocol for the conduct of cases, additional structures for the care and protection of minors, the definition of a municipal and state institution. on the protection of minors and the definition of a school life counselor in secondary education.

Finally, it is worth noting that Kyriakos Mitsotakis has thrown arrows at the official opposition for their reaction to the recent revelations of the Kolonos affair.

In particular, he said: “I turn my back on those who consider the political arena the most sensitive part of society. From those who dared to place party signs in such acts all day long, until they were slapped by the mirror itself. I leave them aside and to the shame they deserve. For those who still take responsibility for the system, let me remind you that they were part of the system, did nothing, and then they even commuted their sentences.”