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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for child exploitation
17 results foundAuthor: Bokhari, Farhat Title: Stolen Futures: Trafficking for Forced Child Marriage in the UK Summary: The research for this report documented 48 cases of trafficking for forced child marriage, including cases where there were strong suspicions of an impending forced marriage involving the movement and potential exploitation of the child. There is little data on this aspect of trafficking internationally or within the United Kingdom, partly because of a lack of systematic data collection on child trafficking in all its forms. With the increasing profile and development in policy on forced marriage in the UK and elsewhere, attention on the links between forced marriage, child marriage and trafficking has been growing, albeit slowly. This exploratory study hopes to contribute to a clearer understanding of this issue from a UK perspective and to offer some new insights into how the needs of the children involved may be addressed. Details: London: ECPAT UK, 2009. 40p. Source: Accessed April 17, 2018 at: https://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/sites/antitrafficking/files/ecpat_trafficking_for_forced_child_marriage_in_uk_en_1.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/sites/antitrafficking/files/ecpat_trafficking_for_forced_child_marriage_in_uk_en_1.pdf Shelf Number: 117104 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild MarriageChild ProtectionChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: Delap, Emily Title: Begging for Change: Research Findings and Recommendations on Forced Child Begging in Albania/Greece, India and Senegal Summary: This report explores the issue of forced child begging both in its local specifics and global commonalities. Forced child begging involves forcing boys and girls to beg through physical or psychological coercion. Forced child begging offers an important focus for the struggle for children's rights in that it represents one of the most extreme forms of exploitation of children in the world today. The research shows that children may be forced to beg by their parents or guardians. Others are exploited in this way by third parties, including cases of children trafficked into begging by informal networks or organized criminal gangs. Details: London: Anti-Slavery International, 2009. 33p. Source: Year: 2009 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 114862 Keywords: BeggingChild ExploitationChild LaborChild TraffickingChildren, Crimes AgainstOrganized Crime |
Author: Rusu, Viorelia Title: Overview of the Child Trafficking Phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova Summary: The present study represents an attempt to present qualitative, as well as some quantitative characteristics of the child trafficking phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova. The study report includes information about the average portrait of a victim of child trafficking, factors that increase child vulnerability to involvement into child trafficking situations, main characteristic features or elements of a child trafficking crime identified — peculiarities of recruitment, transportation, forms of exploitation and criminal methods of influence/control used against children. In the study report, existing models of child trafficking are presented both at the transnational level where children-citizens of the Republic of Moldova. become subjects of exploitation in other countries, and child trafficking inside of the country. Besides, the report reflects some new trends in the evolution of the child trafficking phenomenon, and gives an analysis of its relation to the phenomenon of child sex-tourism that emerged recently in Moldova. Details: Chisinau, Moldova: International Center for Women Rights Protection and Promotion "La Strada", 2010. 71p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Moldova URL: Shelf Number: 119424 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild ProstitutionChild TraffickingHuman TraffickingSex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer Title: Oversight of Public and Private Initiatives to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor in the Cocoa Sector in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana Summary: "Oversight of Public and Private Initiatives to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor in the Cocoa Sector in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana" is a four and a half year project spearheaded by the Payson Center for International Development at Tulane University and financed by the U.S. Department of Labor. As part of the Tulane-USDOL contract, Tulane studies progress made towards the elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL) and Forced Adult Labor (FAL) in the cocoa sector of Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana and towards meeting obligations under the Harkin-Engel Protocol, a voluntary agreement against the WFCL and FAL signed in September 2001 by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA) and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and witnessed by the congressional offices of U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.). Since the start of the Tulane-USDOL collaboration in October 2006, Tulane has implemented several representative population-based household surveys of child labor in the cocoa sector, examined efforts by the international cocoa/chocolate industry and the governments of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana to establish child labor monitoring, certification and verification systems, studied remediation activities and other interventions against the WFCL and FAL in the cocoa sector financed by the cocoa/chocolate industry and trained government officials in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana to remediate the WFCL and monitor the number of children working in this sector. Tulane's research findings are reported in annual reports to the U.S. Congress, which are also made available on Tulane's project Website. Details: New Orleans, LA: Tulane University, 2011. 154p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 5, 2012 at http://www.childlabor-payson.org/Tulane%20Final%20Report.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Africa URL: http://www.childlabor-payson.org/Tulane%20Final%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 123976 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild Labor (Cote d'Ivoire) (Ghana)Child Trafficking |
Author: Porio, Emma Title: The Use of Children in the Production, Sales and Trafficking of Drugs: A Synthesis of Participatory Action-Oriented Research Programs in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand Summary: Since the 1990s, the use, sale, and production of illegal drugs have become a major issue in the region. In Jakarta, Indonesia, about 70 locations in the city have been pinpointed by the police as centers or “hot spots” for drug supply/trade. In the early 1990s, the Philippines was just a major transshipment point for drugs but became a net producer and exporter by the late 1990s. Thailand is one of the world’s major producing regions in the world, with the infamous “Golden Triangle” in the north bordering Myanmar and Laos has been the center for drug trade and production for generations. Reports have found a significant number of children have been found to be engaged in illicit drug use, sale, and trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region particularly in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. ILO Convention 182 (on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour) considers the use of children in illicit activities, such as the use of children in the production, sales, and trafficking of drugs, as one of the worst forms of child labour (WFCL). Dangers and risks faced by children engaged in the drug trade go beyond the physical, psychological and mental disorders prevalent among drug-addicted children. Children in the drug trade/trafficking (CDT) are exposed and initiated to the world of illegal activities and criminality. Once involved, they are inextricably linked to situations of tensions, fear, suspicion and conflicts and are quite vulnerable to harassment and exploitation by both drug dealers and the police. Aside from the oppressive conditions of criminality, the engagement of children in drug-related activities is also linked to problems and tensions in their families, peer networks, and communities. Ultimately, the engagement of children/youth in the WFCL like drug sales/ trafficking, compromises their future and that of the nation. Children involved in drug sales and trafficking are difficult to trace and identify, as is often the case with other worst forms of child labour. Social and political sensitivity to the issue, the illegal and hidden nature of the trade, and the associated security risks and the potential difficulties in addressing the problem, make it necessary to use a cautious and processbased approach. ILO Convention 182 calls for ILO member countries to take steps to eliminate the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency. Yet, timely and appropriate interventions can only come about if there is already sufficient understanding of this problem. To this end, the International Labour Organization’s International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO-IPEC), started executing a participatory action-oriented research (PAOR) project (hereinafter, the project) in Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand in September 2002.1 The project aimed to develop and demonstrate an action-oriented research methodology that provides better understanding and information on the use of children in the production, sales, and distribution of illegal drugs. In the course of conducting the research, the project also aimed to reach children at risk as well as those involved in drugs through community organizing/ mobilization, training, advocacy, counseling, referrals, and networking/ linkages. At the end of the project, it also aimed to propose models of interventions for future replication or adaptation in other areas. Details: International Labour Office, International Program on the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO/IPEC), 2004. 101p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 18, 2012 at http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_bk_pb_24_en.pdf Year: 2004 Country: Asia URL: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_bk_pb_24_en.pdf Shelf Number: 98315 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild Labor (Indonesia) (the Philippines) (ThailanDrug TraffickingForced Labor, Children |
Author: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre Title: Child Trafficking Update - October 2011 Summary: Child trafficking is a form of child abuse and modern day slavery. Children trafficked into the UK are exploited for many different purposes, from the cultivation of cannabis and criminal exploitation, to sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. The UK government has outlined its strategy for tackling human strategy1, focusing on four key areas: (i) improved victim care arrangements; (ii) enhanced ability to act early, before the harm has reached the UK; (iii) smarter multi-agency action at the border; and (iv) better coordination of law enforcement efforts within the UK. The strategy notes that children trafficked into the UK are particularly vulnerable. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) and the Child Trafficking Advice and Information Line (CTAIL) are jointly committed to tackling child trafficking. Following previous Child Trafficking Strategic Threat Assessments published by CEOP, this update report gives an overview of the scale and scope of child trafficking in the UK over the period 1 January 2011 to 15 September 2011. Details: London: CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre), 2011. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 2, 2012 at http://ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/child_trafficking_update_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/child_trafficking_update_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 124357 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild Trafficking |
Author: Pjano, Ahmed Title: Regional Report on Child Begging. Prevalence, Prevention and Supression of Child Begging. Prevention of Child Exploitation in South East Europe Summary: Begging, as a social phenomenon, is public, visible and undisguised. Most child beggars exist in major cities and have almost become one of their distinctive features. Although they can be regularly seen on city squares, traffic roads and crossroads, in front of shops and in parks, these children are largely invisible for the system and the society. Little is known about their origin, life, family and social statuses, while the underlying causes of their being involved in begging activities are usually not subject to research, nor are they being systematically dealt with. During the first half of the year, Save the Children Norway SEE together with four members of the South East Europe Children’s Rights Ombudspersons’ Network: Provincial Ombudsman of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Ombudsman for Children of the Republika Srpska, Ombudsman of the Republic of Montenegro and Ombudsman of the Republic of Serbia – conducted a research to collect data on prevalence and principal characteristics of the child begging phenomenon in the SEE Region. The research sets out priorities and gives recommendations to all of the stakeholders in the area of child begging, with an aim to protect numerous children subject to such exploitation. Details: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2011. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2012 at: Year: 2011 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 126678 Keywords: Child Begging (Europe)Child ExploitationChild MaltreatmentChild Protection |
Author: Huynh, Yoomie Title: An Assessment of the Exploitation of Children and Students During the 2011 Cotton Harvest in Tajikistan Summary: Combating human trafficking is a key priority for the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Trafficking in persons primarily involves exploitation, and as such, the use of child labour during the cotton harvest falls within the scope of IOM activities. As an intergovernmental body, IOM in collaboration with the Government of Tajikistan (GoT) has actively adopted effective measures to monitor the use of child labour during the cotton harvest. Such measures have included assisting the GoT in developing and implementing the National Action Plan on Combating Human Trafficking in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2011–2013 and conducting an annual monitoring and awareness campaign during the 2010 and 2011 cotton harvests. Table of Contents •Foreword •Executive summary •1. Introduction •2. Cotton monitoring project •3. Legal analysis on legislation pertaining to child labour rights •4.Monitoring results •5. Situational analysis of monitoring results •6. Recommendations •List of abbreviations and acronyms •Glossary •Figures, maps & tables Details: Dushanbe, Tajikistan: International Organization for Migration, 2012. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2013 at: http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/Cotton_MonitoringReport_04_09_2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Tajikistan URL: http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/Cotton_MonitoringReport_04_09_2012.pdf Shelf Number: 128297 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild Labor (Tajikistan)Human Trafficking |
Author: Healy, Claire Title: Report for the Study on Typology and Policy Responses to Child Begging in the EU Summary: Child begging is a common sight in cities such as Budapest, Sofia, Paris or Warsaw. It is not so common, and in fact has all but disappeared, in Stockholm, Copenhagen or Vienna. One of the purposes of this report is to examine the reasons behind these differences, in relation to legislation, policy and responses, as well as the characteristics and causes of child begging across Europe. Begging children occupy a place at the lowest echelons of society, come from poor backgrounds, are often badly dressed and badly cared for, and mostly treated as a nuisance by the authorities, rather than as a child protection concern. Their visibility on the streets of European cities casts doubt upon the viability of child protection frameworks and reminds passers-by of the intolerable levels of poverty, inequality, exclusion and child abuse that exist in Europe today. During the last few years, there has been increasing attention in many EU Member States and other European countries on the phenomenon of child begging. Whilst a consensus exists among Member States that child begging needs to be addressed, there has been little evidence thus far on what is the best policy approach. In order to provide a comprehensive understanding and rigorous empirical research on child begging, it is necessary both to conduct research at a national level, and to bring the research down to a local level, to examine the reality of the phenomenon as it affects the children themselves and as it plays out in European localities. Therefore research was conducted first at a national level in 15 European countries – 13 EU Member States and 2 non-EU countries, as well as, in a second phase, in a total of thirty European cities, on the phenomenon of child begging. The Country Sections included in this Report present a complex phenomenon that is by no means homogenous in nature, and involves children of various backgrounds and in different situations. Nevertheless, there are some key features common to a number of cities, setting out the main scenarios that child begging represents. Details: Brussels: European Commission, 2012. 337p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 6, 2013 at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/policies/organized-crime-and-human-trafficking/cybercrime/docs/child_begging_final_11jan2013_en.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/policies/organized-crime-and-human-trafficking/cybercrime/docs/child_begging_final_11jan2013_en.pdf Shelf Number: 129259 Keywords: Child Begging (Europe)Child ExploitationChild MaltreatmentChild ProtectionRunawaysStreet Children |
Author: Pereznieto, Paola Title: The costs and economic impact of violence against children Summary: This briefing paper presents the main findings of a report commissioned by ChildFund Alliance, exploring the economic impacts and costs of violence against children. It presents a summary of the available evidence from different countries and provides some estimates of the global costs of violence and exploitation against children. The briefing discusses government spending to prevent and respond to violence against children as well as good preventive practices. It also provides some policy recommendations. In summary, this report finds that there are significant costs for individuals, communities, governments and economies from the different forms of violence against children. In the case of global costs resulting from physical, psychological and sexual violence, these costs can be as high as 8% of global GDP. Considering other forms of violence, such as children's involvement in hazardous work, the global costs are estimated to be $97 billion every year, which is equivalent to seven times Iceland's 2013 GDP. The economic impact of another form of violence against children - that of children associated with armed forces or groups - has been estimated to be $144 million annually. Details: London: Overseas Development Institute, 2014. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 24, 2014 at: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9177.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9177.pdf Shelf Number: 133815 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ExploitationChild LaborChild Sexual AbuseCosts of CrimeViolence Against Children (International) |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund - UNICEF Title: Ending Violence Against Children: Six Strategies for Action Summary: Ending Violence Against Children: Six Strategies for Action provides evidence of effective programmes to address violence against children drawn from UNICEF's decades of experience, and informed by key partners. Case studies from around the globe illustrate how well-crafted prevention and response strategies can reduce the prevalence and impact of violence against children. The report is released as part of the #ENDviolence global initiative calling for an end to all forms of violence against children. It is directed at government leaders, civil society representatives, the private sector and the international development community Details: New York: UNICEF, 2014. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 30, 2014 at: http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Ending_Violence_Against_Children_Six_strategies_for_action_EN_9_Oct_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Ending_Violence_Against_Children_Six_strategies_for_action_EN_9_Oct_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 133836 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ExploitationChild MaltreatmentChild Sexual AbuseViolence Against Children |
Author: Steven, David Title: If Not Now, When? Ending Violence Against the World's Children Summary: Key Messages -- A target to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence, and torture against children has been proposed as part of the post-2015 development agenda. Support for this target is based on the recognition that no violence against children is justifiable and all violence against children is preventable. It forms part of a broader commitment to the role peaceful and inclusive societies play in sustainable development. At present, an epidemic of violence undermines child survival and development, while causing broader economic damage and trapping children into cycles of violence they may not escape as adults. Ambitious post- 2015 commitments on children's education, health, and wellbeing cannot be met as long as so many children live in fear. While the challenge of protecting all children is a substantial one, strategies exist for tackling violence and other forms of abuse. With the right policies and sufficient resources, substantial improvements in child safety can be achieved in less than a decade. Proposed targets to protect, prevent and address violence against children must be included in the final version of the new development agenda, with governments persuaded this is a signature issue that will resonate with the public around the world. But as Nelson Mandela wrote a decade ago, safety and security don't just happen: they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We must now begin preparing for implementation of new targets, moving beyond aspirations to credible plans. We now have an historic opportunity to unite the world behind a global, national, and local movement to protect children from violence, based on increased political will, a global partnership that will protect children, and the identification of pathfinder countries that will be ready to deliver the new agenda from January 2016. The next twelve months are critical. We must: 1. Secure an unequivocal global commitment to ending violence against children. Governments must be convinced that tackling violence is an essential and resonant priority that will significantly improve the lives of children. A target to end violence against children must be retained in the post-2015 development agenda. 2. Develop foundations that will allow implementation to begin in January 2016. An aspiration to end violence must be turned into something more concrete. Priorities include forming the partnership to scale up action to prevent violence and protect children and the coalition of pathfinder countries prepared to act first. 3. Create opportunities for world leaders to pledge support for urgent action to protect children. Champions are needed to advocate for implementation of targets to end all forms of violence against children. The Financing for Development conference in July and Heads of State and Government Summit in September 2015 should be used to announce ambitious commitments. Details: New York: New York University, Center on International Cooperation, 2014. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 18, 2014 at: http://www.globaldashboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/If_Not_Now_When_Final_201014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.globaldashboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/If_Not_Now_When_Final_201014.pdf Shelf Number: 134138 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ExploitationChild MaltreatmentChild TraffickingChild VictimsViolence Against Children |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Title: Handbook on Children Recruited and Exploited by Terrorist and Violent Extremist Groups: The Role of the Justice System Summary: In the past few years, the international community has been increasingly confronted with the recruitment and exploitation of children by terrorist and violent extremist groups. Numerous reports have shed some light on the extent of this disturbing phenomenon. Estimates indicate that, since 2009, about 8,000 children have been recruited and used by Boko Haram in Nigeria. According to a report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, some boys have been forced to attack their own families to demonstrate loyalty to Boko Haram, while girls have been forced to marry, clean, cook and carry equipment and weapons. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights received consistent reports that some boys and girls were increasingly being used as human shields and to detonate bombs. In May 2015, for example, a girl about 12 years old was used to detonate a bomb at a bus station in Damaturu, Yobe State, killing seven people. Similar incidents were reported in Cameroon and the Niger. During attacks by Boko Haram, abducted boys were used to identify those who refused to join the group, as well as unmarried women and girls. In 2015 alone, the United Nations verified 274 cases of children having been recruited by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Syrian Arab Republic. The United Nations verified the existence of centres in rural Aleppo, Dayr al-Zawr and rural Raqqah that provided military training to at least 124 boys between 10 and 15 years of age. Verification of the use of children as foreign fighters has increased significantly, with 18 cases involving children as young as 7 years of age. The use of children as child executioners was reported and appeared in video footage. In Iraq, in two incidents in June and September 2015, more than 1,000 children were reportedly abducted by ISIL from Mosul district. While the lack of access to areas in conflict undercuts the possibility to gather precise data, it is known that recruited children were used to act as spies and scouts, to transport military supplies and equipment, to conduct patrols, to man checkpoints, to videotape attacks for propaganda purposes and to plant explosive devices, as well as to actively engage in attacks or combat situations. These figures are likely to be significant underestimates because of the limited opportunities to gain access and monitor violations against children. Child recruitment is also perpetrated by Al-Shabaab in Kenya and Somalia,5 by the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa, Ansar Eddine and Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb in Mali and neighbouring countries and by the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines, to name a few. Owing to the expanding reach and propaganda of terrorist and violent extremist groups, child recruitment and exploitation are in no way limited to conflict-ridden areas. More and more children are travelling from their State of residence to areas controlled by terrorist and violent extremist groups, in order to join them. They may travel with their families or by themselves, and obtaining comprehensive data on their participation in hostilities is often difficult. In the case of ISIL, for instance, information often becomes available only after the children's death, when they are eulogized as martyrs and their country of origin is revealed. Data collected for more than one year, during the period 2015-2016, concerned 89 children who died in hostilities. They included not only nationals of Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, but also nationals of Australia, France, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Yemen. These figures do not include children taken to ISIL territory by their families. Finally, children may also be recruited to support the groups, or even carry out attacks, in countries that are not experiencing armed conflict. Details: Vienna: UNODC, 2017. 160p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 1, 2018 at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/Child-Victims/Handbook_on_Children_Recruited_and_Exploited_by_Terrorist_and_Violent_Extremist_Groups_the_Role_of_the_Justice_System.E.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/Child-Victims/Handbook_on_Children_Recruited_and_Exploited_by_Terrorist_and_Violent_Extremist_Groups_the_Role_of_the_Justice_System.E.pdf Shelf Number: 148961 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild ProtectionExtremist GroupsRadicalizationTerrorismTerrorist Recruitment |
Author: Bentley, Holly Title: How Safe are Our Children? The Most Comprehensive Overview of Child Protection in the UK: 2018 Summary: Technology is central to children's lives. In 2017, just over half of children aged 12 had at least one social media account, despite the minimum age requirements for many sites being 13. By age 13, that figure rises to nearly three-quarters. Today's children don't see the division between 'online' and 'offline' worlds. Social media is now a ubiquitous part of childhood, but alongside wonderful opportunities, it opens up an array of potential harms. For too long, social networks have been allowed to treat child safeguarding as an optional extra. We don't have the same protections in place online as offline, and the result is that children are exposed to unacceptable risks, in the spaces where they socialise, trust, and play. After a decade of inaction, the challenge we face is now immense, but not insurmountable. The scale and complexity of the online threat is growing. Most platforms have failed to integrate child safeguarding into their business models or the design of their platforms. Rapidly developing technology creates new opportunities to initiate, maintain and escalate abuse. As this year's How safe are our children? report makes clear, tackling these risks is now at the frontline in the fight for every childhood. What are the risks to children on social networks? Social media is part of the fabric of children's lives. Every moment, every experience is something to be captured online. Posts on social media aren't just a catalogue of 'real' life, they are an integral part of it. The ubiquity of social media carries many risks, from exposure to inappropriate and sexualised content, to the production and distribution of child abuse imagery, through to the growing scale of technology-facilitated grooming. Platforms provide new opportunities to initiate and facilitate abuse. With so many children using social networks, gaming and messaging sites, it means that today's children and young people are increasingly exposed to the threat of abuse or exploitation, from both adults and their peers Through the ease of access afforded by smartphones, groomers can target significant numbers of children, and quickly escalate and maintain their abuse. Groomers can readily move children into the shadows, moving children from well-known platforms to encrypted and hidden sites. New types of technology, notably livestreaming, provide new opportunities for abusers to control and coerce children into increasingly extreme forms of abuse. Self-generated imagery is a considerable issue, accounting for around a third of recent images removed by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). Although children do not perceive a difference between their online and offline worlds, evidence suggests that lowered inhibitions can mean that children comply with requests that they would not offline. Once a self-generated image has been taken, it opens the door for exploitation and blackmail (including to prevent disclosure). The impact of losing control over an image can be devastating, particularly when it is shared among peers' social networks, sent to family members, or shared much more widely.Social networks have consistently failed to address these problems - and it is clear that their unwillingness to do so has actively fuelled the scale and extent of the risks that children now face. Platforms have failed to build in adequate safeguarding protections, take steps to proactively tackle grooming, and to do enough to proactively tackle child sexual abuse imagery at source. Successive governments have also repeatedly failed to intervene, placing disproportionate weight on the claims made by industry. As a result, for over a decade, social networks have repeatedly failed to protect their child users. Details: London: NSPCC, 2018. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 21, 2018 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/how-safe-children-2018-report.pdf?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=How%20safe%20are%20our%20children%3F%20The%20most%20comprehensive%20overview%20of%20child%20protection%20in%20the%20UK.&utm_campaign=nitl-newsletter Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/how-safe-children-2018-report.pdf?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=How%20safe%20are%20our%20children%3F%20The%20most%20comprehensive%20overview%2 Shelf Number: 150628 Keywords: Child AbuseChild ExploitationChild GroomingChild ProtectionInternet CrimesOnline SafetyOnline VictimizationSocial Media |
Author: Sereni, Anna Title: Before the Harm is Done: Examining the UK's response to the prevention of trafficking Summary: The purpose of the research carried out for this report was to review action taken in the UK since 2012, relating to the prevention of human trafficking, in order to assess the extent to which it contributes to the UK's implementation of the 2005 Council of Europe Trafficking Convention and the EU Trafficking Directive requirements. The research was undertaken through a combination of desk research, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and stakeholder interviews. The research found positive examples of localised good practice and outstanding work by some bodies, which have shown a deep understanding of trafficking. Despite significant development in the UK's efforts to tackle this issue, however, the examples of good practice do not represent the overall situation. We found that positive efforts are weakened by lack of evaluation and undermined by the strong tendency to view the anti-trafficking response through a criminal justice lens. Overall, the report concludes that: - The UK continues to lack an overall strategy to prevent trafficking in adults and children; - This leads to an inconsistent and fragmented approach to the prevention of trafficking; - The UK's lack of a strategic response means that prevention is often seen through the prism and policies of immigration and crime, hindering effective preventative action; - The result of this approach and the wider policies of austerity, a hostile immigration environment and the threats posed by Brexit, is that the vulnerability of adults and children to exploitation is not reduced and the UK risks contravening its positive obligation to prevent trafficking. Details: London: Anti-Trafficking International, 2018. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 19, 2019 at: http://www.antislavery.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Before-the-Harm-is-Done-report.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.antislavery.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Before-the-Harm-is-Done-report.pdf Shelf Number: 154667 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild TraffickingHuman ExploitationHuman Trafficking |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: "Everyone Must Confess:" Abuses Against Children Suspected of ISIS Affiliation in Iraq Summary: Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) authorities have arrested thousands of children for alleged affiliation with ISIS, used torture to coerce confessions, and have convicted hundreds of children of terrorism in hasty, unfair trials. Children may be prosecuted for any association with ISIS, including working as a cook or driver, or taking part in a religious training course. They may be detained in prison for years, with no access to rehabilitation or education. "Everyone Must Confess": Abuses against Children Suspected of ISIS Affiliation in Iraq is based on Human Rights Watch research conducted since 2016, including interviews conducted in November 2018 with 29 boys and youth who had been detained for alleged ISIS association by the KRG, family members of 8 other children who had been arrested by Iraqi authorities as ISIS suspects, child protection advocates, local lawyers, and other legal experts. The consequences of Iraqi and KRG punitive policies are profound, creating long-term stigma, family separation, displacement, and severely limiting youths' ability to reintegrate into society and support themselves. Once branded as ISIS, these children fear revenge attacks if they return home after their release from detention. Children who have been arrested and detained by Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq risk re-arrest by Iraqi forces if they return to areas falling under Baghdad's control. Some child ISIS suspects believe they have no option beyond living indefinitely in camps for displaced persons or leaving the country. Details: New York, NY: Human Rights Watch, 2019. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2019 at: https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/03/06/everyone-must-confess/abuses-against-children-suspected-isis-affiliation-iraq Year: 2019 Country: Iraq URL: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/iraq0319_web_1.pdf Shelf Number: 155141 Keywords: At-Risk YouthChild AbuseChild ExploitationInternally Displaced PersonsIraqISISRecruitmentTerrorismTerrorist Organizations |
Author: Children's Commissioner for England Title: Keeping kids safe: Improving safeguarding responses to gang violence and criminal exploitation Summary: This report draws on the following work undertaken by the Children's Commissioner and her team over the past 12 months: - An extensive programme of engagement with children, their families and the professionals working with them in a range of settings including schools and alternative provision, gang diversion programmes, youth custody and family support programmes. - A bespoke data collection from every Youth Offending Team (YOT) in England asking about the children they are working with and their characteristics. This information provides the biggest sample of known gang members in England currently available. - A statutory data request made to the Chair of Local Safeguarding Boards in 25 areas with high levels of suspected gang activity, asking about the information they hold in relation to children and gangs in their local areas. - A bespoke analysis of the ONS British Crime Survey enabling us to examine the characteristics of self-identifying gang members and those in close proximity to them. - Examination of data collected in relation to children's services, schools and education, policing and children's services relating to known or suspected gang activity. - Learning from the Serious Case Reviews conducted when a child has died as a result of gang violence. - Learning from existing research conducted into gangs and child exploitation including joint research from Ofsted, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP); as well as reports from the Early Intervention Foundation and the Local Government Association, cross-referenced with data collected as part of the Children's Commissioner's Vulnerability Framework to enable us to develop a detailed portrait of the children at risk of gangs in England. Details: London: Author, 2019. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2019 at: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/CCO-Gangs.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/CCO-Gangs.pdf Shelf Number: 155601 Keywords: Child ExploitationGang ViolenceGang-Related ViolenceGangsYouth Gangs |