CHILD'S ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION: TRAINING PROFESSIONALS TO DEAL WITH VICTIMS

The paper explores the current state of affairs in the area of international and national legal provisions to provide specialized training for professionals who engage in protecting children against sexual abuse and sexual exploitation and dealing with victims thereof.. The research takes into account the relevant international legislation that includes the Lanzarote Convention, Explanatory report to the Convention, Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, etc. The paper focuses on the national legislation and current practices of those states that ratified the Convention and currently operate as the Committee of the Parties to the Convention. The paper aims to identify best practices and stumbling blocks regarding standards, formats, procedure of training those in charge who work with alleged victims to take their cases to trial. The research methodology rested on the comparative analysis of data provided by the General and Thematic questionnaires that engaged Lanzarote Committee Member States. 26 Member States participated in the first monitoring round; the Russian Federation was not included in the round due to the late ratification date, though the information of Russian authorities on the relevant issues regarding the research topics is covered in the present paper. The research findings reveal the issues with regards to the targeted audiences that are subject to specialized training, contents and features of special training. The paper also provides preliminary recommendations with respect to the above mentioned issues.