Combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography became a priority for the EU in 2003 when legislation was adopted establishing a minimum common approach to these criminal offences, covering the type of penalty and the prohibitions imposed.
Eiropas Savienība jau 2003. gadā pieņēma vienotu pieeju noziegumiem, kas saistīti ar bērnu seksuālu izmantošanu un bērnu pornogrāfiju.