Brussels is taking a hard look at how crimes against minors are defined and punished. The European Commission has proposed revising the rules to strengthen protections, widen penalties, and introduce new measures aimed at prevention and victim support. The proposal makes clear that sexual abuse material generated by artificial intelligence, known as deepfakes, would be covered by the European directive and would carry sanctions across all member states. It also targets live broadcasts of minor sexual abuse on or through online platforms. [Citation: European Commission]
The European Commission is reviewing the 2011 European directive to strengthen legislation on sexual abuse and exploitation of minors
Access to child sexual abuse material is often the first step toward actual abuse, regardless of whether the material depicts real acts or realistic simulations, the commission notes. The proposal aims to ensure that the definition of child sexual abuse material covers current and future technologies in a clear and consistent way. A robust criminal framework is described as essential, and today marks a decisive move to equip authorities with effective tools to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice. [Citation: European Commission]
The regulation now moves into negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament, acting as a complement to measures adopted two years ago to curb this online scourge. Those measures require internet companies to detect, report, and remove material related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The commission acknowledges that the problem persists, with online pedophilia guides and manuals that facilitate abuse appearing alongside new technological developments, and the threat continuing to grow. [Citation: European Commission]
In 2022, the European Commission reported 1.5 million abuse-related reports EU-wide, a rise of about half a million from two years earlier, underscoring that about one in five children have faced some form of sexual violence. In response, the proposal seeks to broaden criminal definitions to cover the sexual exploitation of minors across all member states, including livestreamed abuse and the possession or exchange of pedophilia manuals. [Citation: European Commission]
Increase in penalties and conditions
On penalties, Brussels proposes tougher sentences for sexual activity with a child and for child prostitution, with maximums set at eight years when the victim is below the age of consent and four years when the victim is older. Victims would gain more time to report abuse and to pursue legal action, and may receive compensation to address long‑term harm. [Citation: European Commission]
For crimes carrying at least a three‑year penalty, the statute of limits would extend to at least 20 years after the victim reaches the age of majority; the limit would not expire until the victim is at least 38. For crimes with at least five years, the limit would reach 25 years and extend to the age of 43. For offenses carrying eight or more years, the limit would be at least 30 years, not ending until the victim is at least 48. The aim is to reflect that many survivors delay reporting due to shame, guilt, or other factors. Recent studies indicate survivors often take 17 to 21 years to speak about their experiences. The proposal notes that about 60–70 percent do not disclose until adulthood, and around 27.8 percent never tell anyone. Some differences remain among member states, with a mix of fully eliminating statutes of limitations and keeping shorter periods. [Citation: European Commission]
Prevention and awareness
The plan also recognizes the work of organizations that counter sexual exploitation and handle direct reports of abusive material. Processing materials for removal or investigation by these bodies should not be criminalized, the commission states. It urges that any form of online maintenance that facilitates exploitation should be criminalized in all member states. [Citation: European Commission]
To create a safer online space, member states would establish coordination mechanisms to align prevention and victim-support programs, with a focus on greater awareness of internet risks for children and youth. The proposal introduces new requirements for organizations employing staff who interact closely with children and for groups fighting child sexual exploitation to request criminal records of candidates. In addition, professionals who work with children would be obligated to report potential crimes. [Citation: European Commission]