Projects
Current projects of the Observatory
On this page, we present the projects we are currently working on or that we have just completed with recent publications.Combatting sexualised violence against children and youth
Sexualised violence against children and youth is steadily increasing. In 2023 alone, there were 1.3 million reports of sexualised violence against children and youth in the EU, including more than 3.4 million Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). It is estimated that one in five children in Europe is affected by sexualised violence. Between 70 and 85 percent of those affected know the perpetrator.The EU has declared combatting (digital) sexualised violence against children and youth a priority. Since this requires a holistic approach, various political and legislative initiatives are currently underway. One focus is on curbing digital violence, which knows no national borders. Digital technologies are further exacerbating sexualised violence against children and youth, particularly through the rapidly increasing use of AI. The internet offers perpetrators anonymity and numerous platforms where CSAM and instructions for abuse can be obtained, as well as where abuse can be committed against children and youth. While the EU can set minimum standards for its Member States in this area, the national design of criminal and family law provisions varies.
On November 18, 2025, the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Violence, we will publish a series of publications on the topic of sexualised violence against children and youth.
This includes an Expertise presenting existing and planned EU measures to combat and prevent (digital) sexualised violence against children and youth. A comprehensive Overview presents criminal and family law provisions for protecting children and youth from online and offline sexualised violence in five EU Member States (Germany, France, Ireland, Sweden, and Spain). An accompanying Dossier provides a concise explanation of all aspects of the Europe-wide fight against and prevention of (digital) sexualised violence.
EU Monitoring: Current socio-political developments in Europe
Our EU monitoring provides a regular overview of the activities of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the European civil society organisations in social policy.It highlights our key issues in the areas of children and youth policy, family and reconciliation policy, equality policy, and policy for older people. In addition to the EU Monitoring, we publish focus issues and background information that present the European Union's social policies and strategies.
If you would like to receive the EU-Monitoring by e-mail, please write to us stating your name and organisation: beobachtungsstelle (a) iss-ffm.de
Please note that the EU monitoring is only published in German.
European Social Policy
The EU can take initiatives to coordinate the social policies of the Member States (Article 5 TFEU) and thus support their sociopolitical cooperation and set minimum standards throughout Europe. Articles 151 to 161 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provide the legal basis for social policy. Common goals of the EU and its Member States are, for instance, the improvement of living and working conditions and combating exclusion.The background information provides an overview of EU social policy, its legal basis and associated instruments, and a selection of current socio-political initiatives and measures.
Please note that the background information is only published in German.