At question time, Graham Watson (UK, ELDR) raised the issue of the increasing number of students taking part in short-term language courses abroad being faced with the threat of sexual and other forms of abuse. In reply, Mr Monti recognised the problem and accepted the need to crack down on dubious operators but said it was largely a matter for the member states.
The issue is being taken up by Avon and Somerset police as part of an EU-wide study. Earlier in the month, Caroline Jackson (UK, EPP) met senior police officers from her constituency who were on a fact finding mission to Brussels as part of the EU-wide project to investigate child abuse amongst youngsters on study visits abroad.
Mrs Jackson is concerned that the huge increase in the number of language students on short term visits brings with it an increased risk of abuse. The study has already uncovered 550 cases of youngsters being threatened with sexual or other forms of abuse from host families. In one case a 13-year-old boy stayed in squalid conditions in Germany and was exposed to drug and alcohol abuse; while in another instance, a 14-year-old girl placed with a London family witnessed daily beatings given by the alcoholic father to his wife; and a young Spanish boy was placed with a convicted sex offender in the UK.
"Here is a clear example of where the EU can help set standards for best practice. Language schools must not dodge their duty to protect pupils abroad. Young children far away from home - coping in a language they are struggling to learn - deserve our full protection," said Dr Jackson who wants to see an EU-wide Code of Conduct to set standards with a special hotline for urgent cases.