The Duchess of Edinburgh is in Brussels, Belgium, as Patron of the NSPCC and Plan International UK.
She will take on a program of engagements having to do with tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The Duchess and Ms Jess Phillips, UK Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, attended an event co-hosted by the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights. The Duchess delivered a keynote speech highlighting the harm that is being caused by child sexual exploitation.
She said, “Today children everywhere in the world are not only falling victim to adults wishing to groom them but are exposed to an enormous amount of dangerous, harmful and inappropriate content including materials on suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, violence, and pornography, all with consequences which can prove devastating, and can even lead to them taking their own lives.”
She added, “Honoured guests – it is in your hands, a task of the utmost and urgent importance, because the lives and futures of millions of children around the world will be affected by what you decide, or do not decide to do. Therefore I implore you now, on behalf of the children of today and tomorrow, to redouble your efforts in prioritising their safety and well-being so that they are empowered to learn, to play, to grow and to thrive in our world.”
She then attended a panel discussion and a reception.
Today, she will join a roundtable discussion with global child rights NGOs and discuss the evolving threat online.
The Duchess has been Patron of the NSPCC since 2016, and Patron of Plan International UK since November 2024.
Be the first to comment on "Duchess of Edinburgh visits Brussels"