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<strong>Child</strong> PornograPhy First report oF the Dutch NatioNal rapporteur
3.2.3 Prevention measures aimed at victims
The aim of primary and secondary prevention strategies is to minimise the risk that children will become
victims of sexual abuse. The Lanzarote Convention obliges the Parties to the Convention to provide children
with information concerning the dangers of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, and in this way
protect children and enable them to take defensive action. 42 Little is known about the efficacy of prevention
programmes for potential victims of sexual abuse, however. 43 Although studies of the efficacy
of prevention programmes usually show that children’s knowledge and awareness have improved, there
is little proof that prevention programmes actually change children’s behaviour. 44 Furthermore, the
social sciences community has expressed criticism of the fact that the responsibility for the prevention
of sexual abuse is placed upon children. 45 Smallbone et al. have concluded that adults must ultimately
bear responsibility for the safety of children. 46
Prevention measures aimed at parents of very young children
One area for attention with regard to the prevention of sexual abuse of children concerns the
target group of children aged 0-6 years of age. 47 This target group is too young for prevention
programmes to be set up. 48 However, measures to prevent abuse in this vulnerable group of
young children can be geared towards the parents instead of the potential victims. The Gunning
Committee, which conducted an investigation of abuse at children’s day nurseries, made
several recommendations to parents, such as screening and making enquiries regarding references
from child-minders using Internet child-minding services. 49 In addition, the Commission
recommended that educational materials should be developed for parents, and that such material
should, amongst other things, be geared towards preventing their child from becoming a victim
of abuse. 50 Although the Gunning Committee focused exclusively upon children’s day nurseries,
many of the recommendations are also relevant to other sectors in which adults work with
children.
The purpose of most prevention programmes geared towards children is to teach them three aspects:
1) definitions of sexual abuse and the ability to recognise undesirable sexual behaviour; 2) strategies
to avoid risky situations and to protect themselves against sexual advances of perpetrators; 3) the
message that victims must confide in an adult in the event of inappropriate behaviour or sexual
abuse. 51
42 Article 6 of the Convention on the Protection of <strong>Child</strong>ren Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual
Abuse (Lanzarote Convention), Lanzarote, 25 October 2007, Treaty Series 2008, 58, Parliamentary Papers
II 2008/09, 31 808, no.3, p.6.
43 See studies such as Finkelhor, 2009; Smallbone et al., 2008; Quayle et al., 2008; Kaufman et al., 2006;
Interview with [Clemens] Hosman in Movisie (2011), p.82.
44 Quayle et al., 2008; pp.95-96; Smallbone et al., 2008; p.37.
45 Smallbone et al., 2008, pp.140-142.
46 Smallbone et al., 2008, p.137.
47 See also §1.4.3 regarding very young victims of child pornography.
48 See also Simon & Zgoba, 2006, p.86.
49 Gunning et al., 2011, p.143.
50 Gunning et al., 2011, p.150.
51 Smallbone et al., 2008, p.138.