LEGAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW

Abstract

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the normative and legal foundations for protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation in international law. The relevance of the study is determined by the increasing risk of children being exposed to various forms of sexual violence as a result of the development of digital technologies, anonymity in the online environment, the intensification of transnational crime, and the consequences of illegal migration. The article examines in detail the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol, the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (the Lanzarote Convention), as well as international initiatives promoted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL.

The research methodology is based on comparative legal analysis, analysis of international norms, statistical data, and the practical reports of international organizations. The findings indicate that although the international legal mechanisms for child protection are sufficiently developed, there remains a need for full compliance with state obligations, harmonization of national legislation, strengthening of implementation mechanisms, and the adoption of additional measures to protect children from online threats. At the same time, the article highlights issues related to enhancing protection against sexual exploitation, expanding interstate cooperation, and strengthening a child-sensitive approach in investigative and judicial proceedings.

As a result of the study, legal gaps between the requirements of international conventions and universal protocols in establishing criminal liability are analyzed, and recommendations are proposed to address these gaps.