The European Child Sexual Abuse Legislation Advocacy Group (ECLAG) is a coalition of child rights non-governmental organisations fighting to protect children from sexual violence and abuse. The organisations involved in ECLAG have joined forces to ensure child rights are prioritised in EU digital and social policy, an issue which is already firmly grounded in EU principles and strategies as well as its law. These groups advocate for the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation proposed by the European Commission in May 2022 to be passed. The wider ECLAG participating group comprises more than 60 European and global organisations. The steering group consists of ECPAT, Eurochild, Missing Children Europe, IWF, Terre des Hommes and Thorn.
Child rights organisations have joined forces under a common mission: protect all children’s rights, including the right to protection and care and to live free from violence, under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the EU Child Rights Strategy and the 2011 Directive on child sexual abuse and exploitation. We aim to safeguard children from the heinous crimes of sexual abuse and exploitation online. By fostering partnerships and encouraging collaboration among NGOs, government agencies, private sector organisations, and civil society, we strive for a comprehensive approach that leaves no child behind.
ECLAG emerged as a joint effort of child rights NGOs to optimise collective action by the child rights community and its key allies, with a common vision that the EU puts in place a robust legislation to end child sexual abuse and exploitation. The group provides a framework for members and child rights organisations to share knowledge, ideas and materials related either directly or indirectly to EU and national legislative actions to fight child sexual abuse. It is also a focal point for advocacy and campaigns, as members adopt and amplify existing campaign materials individually or in groups.
It was created in April 2022.
ECLAG emerged from an informal coalition of several child rights organisations working to ensure the comprehensive protection of children in EU digital policy. It was created to build alignment and cooperation among civil society organisations with common goals.
The ECLAG is organised via a Steering Group, which provides strategic coordination and develops position papers and recommendations, and a wider Participating Group.
The steering group consists of ECPAT, Eurochild, Missing Children Europe, IWF, Terre des Hommes and Thorn.
Each member of the ECLAG Steering Group is registered in the EU Transparency Register.
The wider coalition currently consists of: