{"id":2010072,"date":"2026-06-25T08:04:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T05:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2010072"},"modified":"2026-06-25T08:04:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T05:04:16","slug":"higher-penalties-more-time-to-prosecute-child-sexual-abuse-victims-welcome-new-eu-directive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2010072","title":{"rendered":"Higher penalties, more time to prosecute: Child sexual abuse victims welcome new EU directive"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/99\/47\/1200x675_cmsv2_64c6a2fc-de85-595d-a74a-2d46e0287765-9809947.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2904839-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2904839\" data-cid=\"9813210\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904839-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/32\/10\/189x106_cmsv2_23ef272e-9449-5e01-9785-adec3fa9ddfc-9813210.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: An Iranian IRGC speedboat moves in the Persian Gulf while an oil tanker is seen in background, 2 July 2012\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    IRGC warns ships over Hormuz routes as Rubio draws line on tolls\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2903971-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2903971\" data-cid=\"9808542\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2903971-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/85\/42\/189x106_cmsv2_42e50a14-2878-588a-b451-b46682a81488-9808542.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Euronews Tech Talks\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Euronews Tech Talks<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How much do we know about microplastics? | Euronews Tech Talks podcast\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904814-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2904814\" data-cid=\"9813051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904814-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/30\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_751c13c3-1db7-541f-b1f5-f83c73b6b63d-9813051.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man stands next to a collapsed building after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Venezuela<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    International community pledges aid to Venezuela after earthquakes\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904859-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2904859\" data-cid=\"9813267\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904859-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/32\/67\/189x106_cmsv2_3aa55a43-b39f-5373-a03b-3d0db1b78d32-9813267.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This illustration provided by NASA depicts the Sun-like star TOI-791, background left, and two giant planets that NASA&apos;s TESS space telescope discovered in its orbit.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Scientists find two Jupiter-sized planets &#8216;lighter than cotton candy&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904839-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2904839\" data-cid=\"9813210\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904839-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/32\/10\/189x106_cmsv2_23ef272e-9449-5e01-9785-adec3fa9ddfc-9813210.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: An Iranian IRGC speedboat moves in the Persian Gulf while an oil tanker is seen in background, 2 July 2012\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    IRGC warns ships over Hormuz routes as Rubio draws line on tolls\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2903971-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2903971\" data-cid=\"9808542\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2903971-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/85\/42\/189x106_cmsv2_42e50a14-2878-588a-b451-b46682a81488-9808542.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Euronews Tech Talks\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Euronews Tech Talks<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How much do we know about microplastics? | Euronews Tech Talks podcast\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904814-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2904814\" data-cid=\"9813051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904814-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/30\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_751c13c3-1db7-541f-b1f5-f83c73b6b63d-9813051.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man stands next to a collapsed building after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Venezuela<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    International community pledges aid to Venezuela after earthquakes\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904859-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2904859\" data-cid=\"9813267\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904859-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/32\/67\/189x106_cmsv2_3aa55a43-b39f-5373-a03b-3d0db1b78d32-9813267.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This illustration provided by NASA depicts the Sun-like star TOI-791, background left, and two giant planets that NASA&apos;s TESS space telescope discovered in its orbit.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Scientists find two Jupiter-sized planets &#8216;lighter than cotton candy&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          My Europe Series<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe in Motion<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Higher penalties, more time to prosecute: Child sexual abuse victims welcome new EU directive<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/99\/47\/1536x864_cmsv2_64c6a2fc-de85-595d-a74a-2d46e0287765-9809947.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Europe in Motion\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Europe in Motion<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Euronews<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Euronews\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspAlessio Dell&#8217;Anna\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1782374656\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-06-25 10:04:16 +02:00\">25\/06\/2026 &#8211; 10:04 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"10:44\">10:44<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        New rules greenlighted this week will cover the use of AI in child abuse cases and considerably extend the limitation period to a minimum of 32 years.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>After two years of negotiations, the EU has reached a landmark agreement on the new Child Sexual Abuse Directive, setting much stricter rules against predators.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One of the most significant measures allows victims of child rape and other serious offences to formally file a complaint against their alleged assailant until they turn 50, in all EU member states.<\/p>\n<p>It aims to remove what&#8217;s been called a cruel geographical &#8220;lottery&#8221; by giving all victims across the EU at least 32 years to file charges after reaching the age of 18.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s particularly relevant for countries with shorter limitation periods, such as Finland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Lithuania, where victims typically have only between 20 and 25 years to report even the most serious child abuse crimes.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, countries such as Sweden, Belgium, Hungary, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark and non-EU member the UK, have abolished limitation periods for the most serious counts or most of them.<\/p>\n<h2>Victims: &#8216;No arbitrary legal deadline should deny survivors justice&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>Victims of child abuse and NGOs focused on justice for such cases have resoundingly celebrated the updated measure.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This Directive is a vital step toward ensuring effective access to justice for survivors&#8221;, said Miguel Hurtado Calvo, spokesperson for Brave Movement, a global organisation supporting victims of child abuse.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My own abuser \u2014 a Catholic monk \u2014 avoided any jail time because the statute of limitations had run out, despite his abuse of 12 children over three decades,&#8221; he said. &#8220;No survivor should ever be denied justice because of an arbitrary legal deadline.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Although the new directive &#8220;brings much-needed consistency, it is not the end of the road&#8221;, he added. &#8220;Our ultimate goal remains the full abolition of both criminal and civil statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse across every EU member state.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The statute of limitations has also been extended to a minimum of 20 years for almost all other child sexual offences.<\/p>\n<p>The new Child Sexual Abuse directive will also cover new offences like grooming, access to child abuse livestreams and AI-generated images, and set higher penalties.<\/p>\n<p>The package could be adopted by the end of the year, pending formal confirmation by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.<\/p>\n<h2>How do countries compare on child sexual abuse protection?<\/h2>\n<p>However, child protection is also about prevention. <\/p>\n<p>A new report assessed how countries compare in reducing the risk of sexual violence and quickly responding to suspected abuses.<\/p>\n<p>Among eight European countries studied, the UK ranked first in prevention, thanks to a range of measures covering education, helplines, safeguarding and caregivers. <\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, Germany&#8217;s prevention score is only seventh in Europe and 20th worldwide, level with Cambodia, Guatemala and Japan.<\/p>\n<p>Berlin does better on the healing front. It&#8217;s first in Europe for timely recovery services and legal aid pathways, followed by Italy and France, according to the Out of the Shadows study, a global benchmark on child protection measures researched and developed by Economist Enterprise.<\/p>\n<p>The index also analysed each justice system&#8217;s overall response capacity, including comprehensive criminalisation of offline and online offences, as well as specialised law enforcement capabilities and safeguards for children in criminal justice proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Here, the UK ranks first again with 82.4, followed by France at 82.2, while Russia, Albania and Serbia appear to have the least effective legal protections in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>Worldwide, Australia emerges as the country with the best overall score (83), which also includes efforts to engage survivors, children and adolescents in shaping more inclusive and responsive systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Can France&#8217;s justice system really review 70,000 child sexual abuse cases in five weeks?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Pope Leo XIV denounces &#8216;scourge&#8217; of sexual abuse before meeting victims in Spain<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Child sexual abuse: Time limits to prosecute are fragmented across the EU<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Child trafficking<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Child pornography<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Child abuse<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Sexual Abuse<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Sexual violence<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Euronews Compare<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" 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class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine gets \u20ac3.2 billion from EU support loan, von der Leyen says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2904839-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904839\" data-cid=\"9813210\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904839-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/32\/10\/320x180_cmsv2_23ef272e-9449-5e01-9785-adec3fa9ddfc-9813210.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: An Iranian IRGC speedboat moves in the Persian Gulf while an oil tanker is seen in background, 2 July 2012\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    IRGC warns ships over Hormuz routes as Rubio draws line on tolls<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2904623-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904623\" data-cid=\"9811969\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904623-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/19\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_2a2122d2-1903-5791-8465-6b8e2d0c952e-9811969.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: People hold tied Polish and Ukrainian flags during a demonstration in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Zelenskyy in Gdansk: recovery forum tests Warsaw\u2013Kyiv ties<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2904640-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904640\" data-cid=\"9812105\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904640-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/21\/05\/320x180_cmsv2_aa99b792-0607-5373-9b55-fe04ceb0b30a-9812105.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A woman and children go for water fountain in a park Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Paris. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe\u2019s heatwave fuels record energy bills and lost wages<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2904312-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904312\" data-cid=\"9810349\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904312-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/03\/49\/320x180_cmsv2_9f7c0d2c-0f09-5920-9235-3ba65937edd7-9810349.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Street sweeper works in the sun in London, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as a heat wave is predicted across Britain.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What is heat stress and where is most affected in Europe?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div 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alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904650-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904650\" data-cid=\"9812178\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904650-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/21\/78\/320x180_cmsv2_d324888e-4f15-5cac-98da-c4adf5e4f6a1-9812178.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ursula von der Leyen\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine gets \u20ac3.2 billion from EU support loan, von der Leyen says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904839-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904839\" data-cid=\"9813210\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904839-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/32\/10\/320x180_cmsv2_23ef272e-9449-5e01-9785-adec3fa9ddfc-9813210.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: An Iranian IRGC speedboat moves in the Persian Gulf while an oil tanker is seen in background, 2 July 2012\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    IRGC warns ships over Hormuz routes as Rubio draws line on tolls<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904623-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904623\" data-cid=\"9811969\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904623-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/19\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_2a2122d2-1903-5791-8465-6b8e2d0c952e-9811969.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: People hold tied Polish and Ukrainian flags during a demonstration in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Zelenskyy in Gdansk: recovery forum tests Warsaw\u2013Kyiv ties<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904640-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904640\" data-cid=\"9812105\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904640-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/21\/05\/320x180_cmsv2_aa99b792-0607-5373-9b55-fe04ceb0b30a-9812105.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A woman and children go for water fountain in a park Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Paris. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe\u2019s heatwave fuels record energy bills and lost wages<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904312-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904312\" data-cid=\"9810349\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904312-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/03\/49\/320x180_cmsv2_9f7c0d2c-0f09-5920-9235-3ba65937edd7-9810349.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Street sweeper works in the sun in London, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as a heat wave is predicted across Britain.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What is heat stress and where is most affected in Europe?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2900867-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2900867\" data-cid=\"9804724\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Flesh-rotting&#8217; bacteria could spread on Europe&#8217;s beaches as seas warm<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904094-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904094\" data-cid=\"9809129\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries are the cheapest and most expensive?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904675-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904675\" data-cid=\"9812275\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    German authorities carry out raids over alleged Russian gas sabotage<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904505-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904505\" data-cid=\"9811457\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cate Blanchett launches free tool to protect identity from AI<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904636-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904636\" data-cid=\"9812114\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Heat records shattered as Spain sets double June high<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">After two years of negotiations, the EU has reached a landmark agreement on the new Child Sexual Abuse Directive, setting much stricter rules against predators.One of the most significant measures allows victims of child rape and other serious offences to formally file a complaint against their alleged assailant until they turn 50, in all EU member states.It aims to remove what&#8217;s been called a cruel geographical &#8220;lottery&#8221; by giving all victims across the EU at least 32 years to file charges after reaching the age of 18.That&#8217;s particularly relevant for countries with shorter limitation periods, such as Finland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Lithuania, where victims typically have only between 20 and 25 years to report even the most serious child abuse crimes.At the same time, countries such as Sweden, Belgium, Hungary, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark and non-EU member the UK, have abolished limitation periods for the most serious counts or most of them.Victims: &#8216;No arbitrary legal deadline should deny survivors justice&#8217;Victims of child abuse and NGOs focused on justice for such cases have resoundingly celebrated the updated measure.&#8221;This Directive is a vital step toward ensuring effective access to justice for survivors&#8221;, said Miguel Hurtado Calvo, spokesperson for Brave Movement, a global organisation supporting victims of child abuse.&#8221;My own abuser \u2014 a Catholic monk \u2014 avoided any jail time because the statute of limitations had run out, despite his abuse of 12 children over three decades,&#8221; he said. &#8220;No survivor should ever be denied justice because of an arbitrary legal deadline.&#8221;Although the new directive &#8220;brings much-needed consistency, it is not the end of the road&#8221;, he added. &#8220;Our ultimate goal remains the full abolition of both criminal and civil statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse across every EU member state.&#8221;The statute of limitations has also been extended to a minimum of 20 years for almost all other child sexual offences.The new Child Sexual Abuse directive will also cover new offences like grooming, access to child abuse livestreams and AI-generated images, and set higher penalties.The package could be adopted by the end of the year, pending formal confirmation by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.How do countries compare on child sexual abuse protection?However, child protection is also about prevention.\u00a0A new report assessed how countries compare in reducing the risk of sexual violence and quickly responding to suspected abuses.Among eight European countries studied, the UK ranked first in prevention, thanks to a range of measures covering education, helplines, safeguarding and caregivers.On the other hand, Germany&#8217;s prevention score is only seventh in Europe and 20th worldwide, level with Cambodia, Guatemala and Japan.Berlin does better on the healing front. It&#8217;s first in Europe for timely recovery services and legal aid pathways, followed by Italy and France, according to the Out of the Shadows study, a global benchmark on child protection measures researched and developed by Economist Enterprise.The index also analysed each justice system&#8217;s overall response capacity, including comprehensive criminalisation of offline and online offences, as well as specialised law enforcement capabilities and safeguards for children in criminal justice proceedings.Here, the UK ranks first again with 82.4, followed by France at 82.2, while Russia, Albania and Serbia appear to have the least effective legal protections in Europe.Worldwide, Australia emerges as the country with the best overall score (83), which also includes efforts to engage survivors, children and adolescents in shaping more inclusive and responsive systems.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/06\/25\/higher-penalties-more-time-to-prosecute-child-sexual-abuse-victims-welcome-new-eu-directiv&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/99\/47\/1200x675_cmsv2_64c6a2fc-de85-595d-a74a-2d46e0287765-9809947.jpg&#8221;] Iran IRGC warns ships over Hormuz routes as Rubio draws line on tolls Euronews Tech Talks How much do we know about microplastics? | Euronews Tech Talks podcast Venezuela International community pledges aid to Venezuela after earthquakes Tech News Scientists find two Jupiter-sized planets &#8216;lighter than cotton candy&#8217; Iran IRGC warns ships [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2010072","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2010072","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2010072"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2010072\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2010072"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2010072"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2010072"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}