"For far too many children both in the Republic of Moldova and in other Member States, strict confinement in times of the COVID-19 risks increasing their vulnerability to violence, including sexual abuse and exploitation," says this news piece from the Council of Europe.
“'As more and more countries are locked down, it is a tragic fact that many children, notably children in a vulnerable situation because of a mental or physical disability or a situation of dependence, are trapped with their offenders, be it at home, in out-of-home care, in makeshift refugee camps or facilities where they are deprived of liberty,' warned George Nikolaidis and Christel De Craim, Chairperson and Vice-Chair of the Lanzarote Committee monitoring compliance of the Council of Europe’s Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, in a published statement 'State Parties must ensure that all children are confined in safe environments.'"