The Luxembourg National Women’s Council (CNFL) issued a statement on Wednesday urging media outlets to adhere to ethical guidelines when reporting on cases involving child sexual abuse.
“The Luxembourg National Women’s Council cannot remain silent in light of recent public debates surrounding a court case on child sexual abuse,” the CNFL said.
The Council emphasised that sexual violence – whether against minors or adults – is “a serious social problem” with far-reaching consequences. Poor media coverage, it warned, risks “trivialising or minimising” such acts, particularly when perpetrators are given a platform. Worse still, victims may find their traumatic experiences “splashed across the public arena,” the statement added. This risk escalates if the perpetrator is a family member, as media disclosures could inadvertently reveal the victim’s identity.
“The CNFL strongly recommends that strict ethical rules be followed in this area,” the statement concluded.
The call comes after the International Women’s Day (JIF) platform criticised the Luxemburger Wort in late May for publishing an article featuring an alleged paedophile’s perspective following a trial.
In the same press release, the CNFL advocated for an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure. Currently, judges must provide specific justification when imposing a prison sentence without parole – except in cases of repeat offences.
The Council deemed this requirement “unacceptable,” arguing that it often inflicts secondary trauma on victims. Instead, it proposed reversing the principle, “requiring justification only in cases of suspended sentences.”
