Cyprus

The Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children (PCCPWC) is the National Body coordinating the District Committees for the Protection and Welfare of Children. Officially founded in 1994; apart from its coordinating role, the PCCPWC safeguards and promotes children’s rights and addresses the problems faced by children in exercising these rights. PCCPWC is committed to working towards the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Council FONI was created as a statutory body by law to implement the National Strategy for the Combatting of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation and Child Pornography, and its members are appointed by the Council of Ministers of Cyprus. Its members comprise the Council President, representatives from the Ministries of Health, Social Welfare, Education, Justice, the Attorney General’s Office, the Committee for combatting violence in the family and three NGOs. Its responsibilities include drafting the National Strategy and action plan to combat sexual abuse and exploitation of children and child pornography, suggesting possible legislation improvements or amendments, creating social awareness, evaluating and co-ordinating all actions carried out in Cyprus by any body or organisation regarding sexual abuse of children, as well as developing cooperation with other relevant organizations in the areas of the Council’s competences.