Strasbourg, 19 October 2026
On 16 October 2026, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe published a recommendation on the “Protection of children from violence through age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education“. This recommendation was adopted due to the high concern that children’s vulnerability to violence has increased because of rapid technological change.
The Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) notes that, thanks to the vigilance of the Italian government, this recommendation recognises the primary responsibility of parents in the upbringing and development of their children. FAFCE welcomes this addition by the Committee of Ministers and reiterates that parents must alsways be taken into consideration as the first educators of their children. In that sense, parents must have a right of control on sexual education materials provided to their children. Otherwhise, the role of parents is bypassed by the State.
The CoE recommendation calls for the introduction of comprehensive sexuality education in the curricula, therefore parents and other holders of parental responsibility should be informed about its content, objectives and the potential providers. Ideally, parents must receive the objectives, the dates and the list of speakers that will talk to their children.
In order to remain fully respectful of the rights of parents, such sexual education should not be mandatory.
A poll of children have called for sexuality education to begin early and evolve with age ; taking the best interests of the child into account, the application of the sexual education should be more nuanced regarding the beginning of this education and adapted to the age, save parental approval.
Teachings about respectful contacts and bodily integrity are the basis of a child’s well-being, but it requires sensitivity and respect of boundaries, otherwhise the whole education is put at risks.
FAFCE has long been calling for a deeper inclusion of parents and family networks in order to empower parents in their role to prevent, assess and remedy to online risks in the education of their children.
Read more on FAFCE work for the protection of minors:
2025 New Council of Europe measures to protect minors from online pornography
2025 PRESS RELEASE : FAFCE Conference on protecting children from online threats
2025 FAFCE’s intervention at the European Parliament on Child exposure to pornography
2024 FAFCE Comment on UN Treaty on Cybercrime
2024 European Child Shield Platform publishes advocacy document
