OpenLobby.EU
Explore

WEISSER RING Gemeinnütziger Verein zur Unterstützung vom Kriminalitätsopfern und zur Verhütung von Straftaten e. V.

WEISSER RING

Opferschutz und Opferhilfe gehören zu den Grundpfeilern einer humanen Gesellschaft, die sich ihrer Verantwortung für in Not geratene Mitmenschen stets bewusst sein muss.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Amendment of the EU rules on victims’ rights

26 Sept 2023

Reference is made to the attached document.
Read full response

Response to Child sexual abuse online: detection, removal and reporting

12 Sept 2022

About WEISSER RING WEISSER RING Germany (WR) is a nationwide victim support organisation that is committed to help victims. We have around 2.800 volunteers that offer personal counselling and support to the victims and also guide them through the many aspects of the process as they assist in dealing with paperwork, accompany the victims to court or help them get the assistance from other institutions. WR also grants financial help if needed. WR also stands by the victims through public advocacy. Our effort is to improve their legal rights and also strengthen preventative measures by giving the victims a strong voice. WR is completely independent from state funding to ensure that we can always work in the best interest of the victims. About APAV The Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated on supporting victims of crime, their families, and friends and contributing to the improvement of public, social, and private policies centered on the statute of the victim. APAV provides general and specialized services, with independence and quality, in a free and confidential manner. APAV is also a member of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, responsible for managing the Portuguese Safer Internet Helpline - a helpline dedicated to give advice and support to children, parents/tutors and other adults concerned on issues related to children’s use of digital technologies and services, whilst simultaneously ensuring the operation of a hotline (INHOPE) for tackling CSAM, in close cooperation with law enforcement and the private sector and APAV’s Network of 75 Community Based Support Services, which enables the possibility, when a victim is identified, to refer her/him (with due consent) to APAV’s support services. Introduction Police crime statistics recorded approximately 15,500 cases of sexual abuse against children in 2021 in Germany. This corresponds to an increase of 6.3 percent (2020 about 14,594 cases). In Portugal we are also witnessing a rise on cases of Online Child Sexual Abuse, APAV noticed an increase on the reporting of CSAM through Its Hotline. In 2021 APAV received a total of 787 reports of websites containing CSAM. This corresponds to an increase of 30% percent (2020 APAV received 544 reports). In addition, there is probably a considerable number of unreported cases. The consequences for the victims are serious. A large proportion of children and young people are online these days, entertaining themselves and socialising. However, the possibility of fast, uncomplicated and anonymous exchange on the internet not only offers them advantages, but also criminals who specifically seek contact with minors. For this very reason, to successfully prevent and combat child sexual abuse, it is of great importance to take action in the area of online services and also to work with joined forces. Statement The effort to prevent and combat sexual abuse of children surely finds our support. The current proposal already covers a lot of important aspects as it is laying out rules to identify and remove content in connection with child abuse. However, the main concern is that it lacks rules in regard of preventative measures and the support for victims. There are also legal aspects that seem rather problematic as well as issues concerning the implementation. These are detailed in the attached document.
Read full response