A/70/289 Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Committee). 38. Sexual violence continues to be surrounded by stigma and remains hidden and unreported, while children largely lack safe, accessible and child -sensitive counselling, reporting and complaint mechanisms. 39. The rapid evolution of information and communications technologies presents additional challenges, increasing the risk of sexual abuse and exploitation for young victims and creating serious difficulties for the investigation and prosecution of cases. At the same time, technology offers new opportunities for empowering children, reducing the risk of online abuse and enhancing cross -border cooperation. 40. Participants at the fifth cross-regional round table expressed concern at the pervasiveness and severity of sexual violence against children, its long -lasting impact on child victims and the high cost for society. In line with the study issued by the Special Representative entitled “Releasing children’s potential and minimizing risks: ICTs, the Internet and violence against children” , 9 they recognized the need to ensure balance in promoting children’s access to, and use of, information and communications technologies while guaranteeing their online safety and protection. They committed to building a broad alliance and promoting a dedicated multi-stakeholder platform for the implementation of a safe, inclusive and empowering digital agenda for children. Box 6 Highlights from the cross-regional round table held in 2015 The participants agreed to strengthen cooperation on children’s protection from sexual violence and to: (a) Promote the ratification and implementation of relevant international and regional standards and further strengthen national legislation to prohibit all forms of sexual violence against children in all settings, including online abuse; secure the protection of child victims, their access to effective remedies and to recovery and reintegration services and participation in child-friendly proceedings; establish mandatory reporting responsibilities for professionals working with and for children and prevent the recruitment of those convicted of acts of sexual violence; and investigate and punish those found responsible, when needed through international cooperation; (b) Invest in prevention, through culturally sensitive information and education initiatives and the promotion of child-friendly materials to enhance children’s awareness and protection; (c) Enhance capacity-building activities for relevant professionals, supported by clear guidance, including on the early detection and referral of abuse, ethical standards on the counselling of and interviews with children, and referral and mandatory reporting responsibilities; (d) Support children’s empowerment through participation in online and offline initiatives, tapping into children’s resourcefulness and enhancing their resilience; __________________ 9 12/25 Available from srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/page/1154. 15-13244