EU reaches provisional agreement on child sexual abuse directive

The Council of the EU and the European Parliament have reached a provisional political agreement to revise the directive on combating child sexual abuse and exploitation. The agreement follows six months of intensive negotiations and introduces stricter criminal law provisions, including new offenses related to artificial intelligence and technology. Key updates include the extension of statute of limitations for serious offenses like rape and a clarified framework regarding victim consent. The directive aims to modernize the legal response to digital threats and enhance support systems for survivors. National governments are required to transpose these rules into their domestic legislation within three years. This institutional milestone is intended to strengthen protection across all member states and ensure perpetrators are held accountable long after crimes occur. The legislation remains subject to final formal approval by both the Council and the European Parliament.