The Daphne Initiative was set up to tackle child sexual abuse and violence against children in a European context, specifically to strengthen child protection measures.
It was created in response to the shock and revulsion that emerged at the murders and sexual abuse of children in Belgium in August 1996. At that time the crimes perpetrated by Marc Dutroux and his associates exposed the absence of comprehensive policies on children, including child protection initiatives, on the part of the EU.
This study was co-ordinated by a voluntary organisation called APREMI in Valencia, Spain. In Ireland the research was led by Mr Kieran McGrath, head of St Clare's Unit in Temple Street children's hospital, and in the Netherlands by Dr Francien Lamers-Winkelman of the Free University of Amsterdam.
Interviews were carried out with judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers, police officers, social workers and psychologists. Of the 23 invited to participate in Ireland, 21 responded positively.