92002E1921

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1921/02

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: Child protection in sport

Are there any EU policies that ensure that individuals with child abuse records are prohibited from working as volunteers or coaches in sport?

What exchange of information takes place between Member States, Europol, and Interpol to safeguard the interests of children taught by overseas coaches with child abuse records?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(14 August 2002)

The Council is currently discussing a Commission proposal for a Framework Decision on combating sexual exploitation of children and child pornograph(1) which provides common definitions and sanctions with a view to facilitating law enforcement and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. The discussion includes the issue of criminalisation of the behaviour to engage a child in sexual activities where abuse has been made of a recognised position of trust, authority or influence. It also includes the issue of prohibiting natural persons from exercising activities related to the supervision of children when they have been convicted of sexual exploitation of children or child pornography.

Furhermore, the Danish Presidency of the Union has recently submitted a proposal for a Council Decision increasing cooperation between Member States with regard to disqualifications which are imposed on natural persons as part of a judgment or as a corollary of a criminal conviction and which restrict the convicted persons's access to employment, with the exception of driving disqualifications The proposal requires Member States to establish a national contact point for exchange of information on disqualifications, and to inform any other Member State of disqualifications in respect of the latter Member State's nationals. Being the Danish proposal intended to provide for all sorts of decisions on disqualifications, it would also include disqualifications which restrict convicted persons for sexual exploitation of children or child pornography from exercising activities related to the supervision of children.

Europol has the competence to address crimes relating to the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. Successful operations under the co-ordination of Europol, involving the Member States and Interpol, have taken place. Europol has also signed a co-operation agreement with Interpol.

The Commission is not aware of the existence of any exchange information systems between Member States, Europol and Interpol on the subject matter.

(1) OJ C 62 E, 27.2.2001.