OSCE Mission to Moldova-supported play raises awareness of online child sexual exploitation

The OSCE Mission to Moldova is supporting the production of a social theatre play that aims to raise awareness of the increasing risk of online child sexual exploitation. The opening performances of the play, produced by the Art Centre Coliseum, took place on 11 and 12 July 2017 in Chisinau.  More than 120 adults and young people aged over 16 years attended.

The play illustrates the dangers of child sexual exploitation, in particular the online luring (grooming) of children, with a focus on the impact that these illicit activities have on the victims. It draws on interviews with police, psychologists and social workers, as well as with parents and their children. Following the performances, the audience had the opportunity to discuss measures to prevent online sexual exploitation of children and to recognize when they might be at risk.

“The play is intended to shed light on a difficult and largely invisible issue,” said Mihai Fusu, director of the Art Centre Coliseum. “With the support of professionals, we were able to study this topic in depth, in order to raise much-needed awareness about child sexual exploitation online.”

The OSCE Mission to Moldova is supporting the social play as part of its efforts to raise awareness of online sexual exploitation, domestic violence and human trafficking, including through public lectures, campaigns, community meetings and the distribution of information materials. The Mission has previously partnered with the Art Centre Coliseum on theatre plays to raise awareness of domestic violence and human trafficking issues.

Five more performances of the social theatre play will be held across the country in 2017, with an estimated 600 people expected to attend.