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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for child sex tourism
25 results foundAuthor: International Tribunal for Children's Rights Title: International Dimensions of the Sexual Exploitation of Children: Global Report Summary: The sexual abuse and exploitation committed on children by adults surpass all national boundaries. These abuses thus become the responsibility of more than one state, they become, in effect, an international problem. Some of the most common examples of these international dimensions of sexual exploitation of children include child sex tourism, cross-border trafficking of children for sexual purposes, child pornography and most recently the use of the Internet as a new channel for the proliferation of these forms of abuse and exploitation. This report presents an analysis and compilation of the recommendations produced by the first cycle of interventions of the International Tribunal for Children's Rights in France, Brazil and Sri Lanka. The recommendations cover a wide array of measures aimed at better protecting children from sexual exploitation and ensuring that their abusers are properly prosecuted and convicted, all over the world. Details: Montreal: International Bureau for Children's Rights, 1999. 116p. Source: Year: 1999 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 102426 Keywords: Child MaltreatmentChild PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseHuman TraffickingSex Offenders |
Author: Berardi, Giorgio Title: The Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Connection with Cases of Child-Sex Tourism in East and Southeast Asia Summary: This report presents a review of the literature on the current state of known interactions between Internet communication technology and child-sex tourism. It includes: 1) an analysis of the nature, extent and trends in the use of information technology for faciliting sexual exploitation of children, especially in East and Southeast Asia; and 2) an analysis of targeted recommendations for action by key actors to prevent and protect children from being sexually exploitation through tourism. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2010. 68p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 119223 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismInternet SafetySex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Upholding the Right of Children to Live Free from Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Interventions and Recommendations Summary: The commercial sexual exploitation of children is a transnational issue that affects children across Asia and one that needs to be addressed in the regional and international context. A key requirement is well-coordinated, consistent and strong laws, within countries and across jurisdictions. Children are trafficked across borders and coerced into prostitution; child sex tourists travel to different locations to exploit children; and rapid growth in Internet use and other information and communication technologies allows child pornography to be distributed across borders. Many countries have inadequate legislation to address the problem. This report looks at the legal environment in the Asia Region and outlines the steps a country can take to fulfill its obligations towards children. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2007. 61p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2007 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 119250 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild TraffickingChildren, Crimes AgainstHuman TraffickingSex Trafficking |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice Title: The National Strategy for Child Prevention and Interdiction: A Report to Congress Summary: "The sexual abuse and exploitation of children rob the victims of their childhood, irrevocably interfering with their emotional and psychological development. Ensuring that all children come of age without being disturbed by sexual trauma or exploitation is more than a criminal justice issue, it is a societal issue. Despite efforts to date, the threat of child sexual exploitation remains very real, whether it takes place in the home, on the street, over the Internet, or in a foreign land. Because the sexual abuse and exploitation of children strikes at the very foundation of our society, it will take our entire society to combat this affront to the public welfare. Therefore, this National Strategy lays out a comprehensive response to protect the right of children to be free from sexual abuse and to protect society from the cost imposed by this crime. In the broadest terms, the goal of this National Strategy is to prevent child sexual exploitation from occurring in the first place, in order to protect every child’s opportunity and right to have a childhood that is free from sexual abuse, trauma, and exploitation so that they can become the adults they were meant to be. This Strategy will accomplish that goal by efficiently leveraging assets across the federal government in a coordinated manner. All entities with a stake in the fight against child exploitation—from federal agencies and investigators and prosecutors, to social service providers, educators, medical professionals, academics, non-governmental organizations, and members of industry, as well as parents, caregivers, and the threatened children themselves—are called upon to do their part to prevent these crimes, care for the victims, and rehabilitate the offenders." Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2010. 280p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 10, 2010 at http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/docs/natstrategyreport.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/docs/natstrategyreport.pdf Shelf Number: 119589 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesInternet Safety |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Creating a United Front Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism Summary: "While much progress has been made in combating the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (also known as child-sex tourism or CST) and other forms of sexual exploitation of children, there is a need to identify and develop measures to address new trends and further improve concerted, multi-stakeholder action to effectively combat this exploitation. It must also be noted that while CST involves child prostitution, it is not limited to it. Technological progress and the rapid spread of digital cameras and camcorders now often make the production of child pornography (or child abuse imagery) an ancillary activity of the former. Trafficking in children for sexual exploitation, in turn, is known to play a significant role in the supply of victims to a market demand that has not shown any sign of abatement over the past few years. The reports in this journal look at general trends in the development of child-sex tourism and identify the gaps in child protection against commercial sexual exploitation. They discuss key initiatives to address the issues and recommend specific actions by governments that are urgently needed to tackle the problem. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT Interntaional, 2009. 66p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 13, 2010 at http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Journals/ECPATJournalJune2009.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Journals/ECPATJournalJune2009.pdf Shelf Number: 119592 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Guide for National Planning: To Prevent, Stop and Redress Violations of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children – often referred to as CSEC – is prevalent throughout the world. It consists of criminal practices that demean and threaten the physical and psychological integrity of children. Commercial sexual exploitation of children is manifested primarily through child prostitution and child sex tourism, child pornography, and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes, as well as through such channels as child marriage, domestic servitude and bonded labour. With the increasing ease of travel, new information technologies and rising migration and displacement, a concerted global effort is necessary to ensure that all children are protected, regardless of their geographic or economic circumstance. Where they are comprehensive, National Plans of Action remain the best instrument to be used against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. They provide a national vision for combating CSEC issues and ensure that the care and protection of children remains a national priority over a lasting period of time, constantly reviewed and improved through adequate monitoring and supported with appropriate resources. A National Plan enables civil society to identify what should be done, what is being done and what can be done for children; it challenges governments to tangibly live up to the international commitments they have made to protect the rights of children everywhere. This Methodological Guide is designed to work as a tool for countries that intend to develop National Plans of Action against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Specifically this guide provides: Information on setting up the stage to prepare for the drafting of an effective NPA through detailed background research and specific data collection; Description of the key partners to be involved in the National Plan of Action development to ensure its effective implementation; A methodology for the formulation of a National Plan of Action to combat the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children; Practical recommendations based on the experiences of countries that have developed National Plans of Action; and Examples of strategic national frameworks for eradicating the sexual exploitation of children around the world. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2009. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 1, 2010 at: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Global_Action/NPA_GUIDE_Layout.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Global_Action/NPA_GUIDE_Layout.pdf Shelf Number: 119720 Keywords: Child LaborChild PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Trafficking |
Author: Song, Susan Title: Global Child Sex Tourism: Children as Tourist Attractions Summary: This study outlines the growing use of child prostitution as an inducement to travelers. Child sex tourism is a highly pervasive industry, though steps are being taken worldwide to eradicate it. Details: Washington, DC: Youth Advocate Program International, 2004. 5p. Source: Internet Resourcea; Accessed May 19, 2011 at: http://www.yapi.org/rpchildsextourism.pdf Year: 2004 Country: International URL: http://www.yapi.org/rpchildsextourism.pdf Shelf Number: 121755 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: Braunmiller, Julia Title: The Protection Project Review of the Trafficking in Persons Report Summary: On June 19, 2012, the United States Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons released the 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report). The TIP Report is comprehensive, well drafted, and thoroughly documented. In my opinion, the Report constitutes the primary reference and main source of information on efforts made by governments worldwide to combat trafficking in persons. The purpose of this review is to analyze the valuable information provided in the TIP Report. The Report is not only a diplomatic tool designed to engage governments in the battle against trafficking; it also serves an educational function, which has been the inspiration for this research. Details: Washington, DC: The Protection Project, The Johns Hopkins University, The Paul H. Nitze School Of Advanced International Studies, 2012. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed August 13, 2012 at: http://www.protectionproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/TIP-Review-2012-Final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.protectionproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/TIP-Review-2012-Final.pdf Shelf Number: 126004 Keywords: Child Sex TourismChild TraffickingDebt BondageForced BeggingForced LaborHuman TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: Rimer, Jonah Title: Literature Review - Responding to Child & Youth Victims of Sexual Exploitation on the Internet Summary: The sexual exploitation of children on the internet is a pertinent issue that has emerged to the forefront of society since the mainstream popularization of the internet in the mid 1990’s. Sexual exploitation on the internet is a concept encompassing three major forms of maltreatment against children: child pornography; child luring/unwanted sexual solicitation; and child prostitution/child sex tourism. When discussing these forms of abuse, as well as online sexual exploitation in general, there are many facets that must be taken into consideration. These include definitional issues of each form of abuse; characteristics of offenders and victims; the treatment of offenders; issues within law and law enforcement; advances in technology used by victims, perpetrators, and those combating online abuse; discoveries in scientific research that may increase the understanding of online abusers; an exploration of prevention efforts; a discussion of the relationship between child pornography, pedophilia, and contact offenses; and victim issues and responding to the needs of victims. These will be the significant themes and perspectives explored to summarize the key literature on the subject of the exploitation of children and youth on the internet. Details: Toronto: Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, 2007. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: Prepared for the “Responding to Child & Youth Victims of Sexual Exploitation on the Internet” Training Seminar. September 24th to 27th, 2007. Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada; Accessed October 9, 2012 at: http://www.boostforkids.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9o%2BhPW9lg6s%3D&tabid=166 Year: 2007 Country: International URL: http://www.boostforkids.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9o%2BhPW9lg6s%3D&tabid=166 Shelf Number: 126663 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet Crimes |
Author: Plummer, Carol Title: Using Policies to Promote Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: What is Working? Summary: Taxi drivers in some coastal African cities have been trained in child sex tourism and become part of the prevention network by not connecting tourists with children forced into sex work (cab driver, personal communication, 2008). Similarly, in many countries, large hotel chains and tourist destinations have posted notices that they do not tolerate child sexual exploitation (personal observation and T. Omwenga, personal communication, Kenya, July, 2008,) or have posters greeting tourists at their airports with similar messages (personal observation, Ghana, 2012). Some of these posters explicitly state that employees will not tolerate or accommodate exploitive behavior and will contact police if they suspect it. All of these activities are examples of policy in practice. The general public may understand policy as laws or rules made at a state or national level, instituted by legislation. In practice, policy is much broader than this and includes both formal and informal actions and processes that guide prevention and response. A formal policy is a course of action outlined in writing that guides institutional efforts and management of resources. Formal policies often include pieces of legislation, ordinances, and public rules and regulations. The ways in which formal policies get implemented heavily depend on individuals, communities, and systems. What individuals and organizations actually do, or fail to do, to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse constitutes informal policy. Many policy advocates understand that working to create or improve policy is a two-way street. Policy may be intended to influence the actions of individuals, but individuals also have the ability to influence, adapt, and inspire changes in policy. Even policies like the ones in African business communities described above have their challenges. Innovative policies often prompt a change in tactics for people who sexually offend. In this case, people traveling to commit child sexual exploitation used large bribes to low-income taxi drivers, convincing them to provide information and transportation (C. Maternowski, personal communication, 2012). Similarly, as larger hotels participated in anti-exploitation campaigns, much illegal business has shifted to smaller hotels, necessitating new strategies in policy development. As conditions change, sometimes as a result of good policy work, re-evaluation and design of new tactics is necessary. Every day, policy advocates are working to mandate the implementation of prevention programming as well as institutionalize the prevention of child sexual abuse. This Applied Research paper looks at policies specific to child sexual abuse prevention. A person perpetrates child sexual abuse when he or she exposes a child to sexual acts or behavior (National Sexual Violence Resource Center [NSVRC], 2011). Child sexual abuse may include sexual acts that involve penetration, touching the child's breasts or genitals, making a child touch the perpetrator's breasts or genitals, voyeurism, or commercial sexual exploitation (Finkelhor, Hammer, & Sedlak, 2008). These acts can be performed by adults or by other children. It is important to remember that formal policy definitions of child sexual abuse vary between states. Criminal legal definitions may also vary from those used in child protective services. The field of public health identifies three levels of prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary prevention of child sexual abuse addresses actions, behaviors and norms before the abuse is ever perpetrated. Secondary and tertiary prevention efforts address issues and responses after abuse has been perpetrated. These reactive efforts promote safety and healthy outcomes for the individuals and communities affected by child sexual abuse and prevent abuse from occurring again in the future. All three types of prevention are equally important and comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention strategies work to address the issue at each level. Policies designed to prevent child sexual abuse can promote or influence all three. Many existing policy efforts address the secondary and tertiary levels of prevention. Our review will focus on available research on existing policies and evidence of effectiveness. We will briefly discuss international policy efforts to prevent child sexual abuse, but particularly focus on reviewing efforts in the United States. We also make recommendations for future policy advocacy work, including ways to expand policy to include primary prevention. Details: Harrisburg, PA: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2013. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2014 at: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_CSAPolicies.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_CSAPolicies.pdf Shelf Number: 132685 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Commonwealth of Independent States: Developments, progress, challenges and recommended strategies for civil society Summary: The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a loose association of nine states formed after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. The resulting political, economic and social upheaval led to progress in some areas, such as poverty reduction. But not all children benefit equally: rural-urban disparities have resulted in the marginalisation of - and often discrimination against - some groups of children, such as Roma and other ethnic minorities, left-behind children of migrant workers and the internally displaced. Combined with consumerism, the rapid expansion of cyber-technology, increased tourism and migration and persistent gender discrimination, these inequalities create a favourable environment for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in the region. Throughout the region poverty leads parents to push their children to earn money; criminals take advantage by recruiting and exploiting children in the sex trade. Offenders run minimal risk of punishment due to widespread lack of awareness of CSEC and easily corrupted officials. Other push factors for CSEC include sexualisation of children in the media, pervasive child abuse in homes and low levels of education. HIV infection rates are rising rapidly in the CIS, especially among young people. Despite increasing concern over CSEC, governments in CIS countries have generally made only limited efforts to address this serious violation of children's rights. Civil society groups such as ECPAT often fill the void, taking responsibility for prevention and protection efforts. In this context, a "Regional Consultation on Action to Stop the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in CIS & Eastern Europe" was held in Sofia, Bulgaria on 25-27 May, 2014, bringing together child rights experts, representatives of regional organisations, young people and leaders of ECPAT member organisations. Participants formulated and agreed upon the list of priority actions to advance child protection from sexual exploitation in Eastern Europe and CIS countries elaborated in this Overview. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2014. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 24, 2015 at: http://www.ecpat.net/sites/default/files/Regional%20CSEC%20Overview_CIS%20(English).pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.net/sites/default/files/Regional%20CSEC%20Overview_CIS%20(English).pdf Shelf Number: 137323 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism: Regional Report: Southeast Asia Summary: In 2014, Southeast Asia had the fastest growth in tourism worldwide. SECTT by foreigners was first highlighted here, sparking global efforts to combat the crime. Traditional destinations such as Thailand and the Philippines still attract TCSOs, while Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam are becoming key destinations and Myanmar is at risk as it opens up to tourists. While the focus has long been on foreign tourists, male nationals account for the vast majority of offenders. Special Economic and Free Trade Zones in some countries have been identified as locations for SECTT and the region is seeing more webcam-based child sex tourism. No country has a specific plan or designated agency to tackle SECTT. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2016. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/regional/southeast-asia/ Year: 2016 Country: Asia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/regional/southeast-asia/ Shelf Number: 139224 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismSex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. Country Specific Report: South Africa Summary: At the First World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in Stockholm in 1996, governments first recognised the commercial sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (CSECTT) as a global crime of epidemic proportion. Since then, much work has been done by international organisations, governments and tourism stakeholders to combat CSECTT. The increasing cross-border movement of people, consumerism, globalisation and new technologies, however, have enabled CSECTT to evolve and manifest in new forms. Often a high influx of tourists and travellers increases the problem, especially in developing countries where poverty and socio-economic inequalities are persistent. Some African countries are considered emerging tourism destinations for child sexual offenders. It is difficult to obtain statistics or figures on the scale and scope of such violations due to the lack of studies or research as well as the hidden nature of the phenomenon. According to ECPAT International's African network members, South Africa is one of the countries most affected by CSECTT in the African region. ECPAT Germany, in cooperation with Bread for the World and Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), published a report entitled Don't Look Away: Be Aware and Report the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism in December 2013. This assessment of CSECTT, the first of its kind in South Africa, provides an overview of the problem in the country's tourism industry. This report is intended to strengthen the Don't Look Away report and thus enhance efforts to protect children from being sexually exploited by travellers and tourists. As part of the research to develop this supplementing report, key stakeholders from the child protection, public and tourism sectors in five provinces of South Africa were interviewed for their perceptions of the extent of CESCTT in South African tourism as well associated public, private and civil society responses. The report is divided into five sections. The first looks at the methodology used to collect data for the report, while the second section identifies limitations and associated implications for the study and defines and reviews relevant terminology in relation to CSECTT in South Africa. The third section focuses on stakeholders' perceptions and opinions of CSECTT in South Africa. It looks at whether CSECTT is considered by respondents to be an issue, their views on which children are vulnerable to becoming victims of the crime and impressions of potential offenders as well as their opinions on the role that information and communication technology has in aiding CSECTT. The fourth section presents an overview of the level of awareness and opinions of the respondents on services available to protect and assist victims and their perceptions of the relative strengths and weaknesses of current responses to reports of CSECTT, including the role of the criminal justice system. The final section draws conclusions and recommendations based on the findings of this research to improve the protection of children from CSECTT in South Africa. Details: Pretoria: Fair Trade Tourism, 2015. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Country-report-South-Africa.pdf Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Country-report-South-Africa.pdf Shelf Number: 139225 Keywords: Child Prostitution Child Sex Tourism Sex Tourism Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Riggio, Eliana Title: Power, Impunity and Anonymity: Understanding the forces driving the demand for sexual exploitation of children Summary: Nearly twenty years ago, when the First World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was held in Stockholm, Sweden (August 1996), the problem of sexual exploitation of children (SEC) facing the international community was imputed to a discrete and well characterised group of offenders: profiled as being mainly men; travelling from Western to developing countries; perceived as affected by forms of psychosexual disorders, such as paedophilia; or displaying other pathologically transgressive behaviours. In the short span of only two decades, SEC has exploded to acquire planetary dimensions, with virtually no region, country or social group, age or sexual inclination being spared by a scourge now recognised as one of the most severe and widespread forms of violence against children. As noted with reference to SEC-related analysis in a report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, "the research results exemplify problems that exist in all parts of the world." Today, approaching children for illicit purposes is a highly profitable domestic and international operation, organised on the global market, progressively brokered on the Internet, and supported by powerful criminal networks and businesses. Power imbalance between vulnerable children and abusive adults, impunity and anonymity emerge as the key forces driving the demand for sexual exploitation of children in the rising globalised sex market. While the organisation of the market is global, the demand for SEC is not only international, but also local. In addition to being created by unrelenting flows of travelling perpetrators, demand continues to be generated by local offenders everywhere, as in the case of individuals frequenting commercial sex or entertainment venues where children are available on the fringes, or men buying sex services from children living on the streets in their towns. New information and communication technologies (ICT) appear to be providing unprecedented opportunities to elude controls. In parallel to a stream of people on the move to seek children for sexual exploitation in distant locations, often, circumventing travel agents by booking travel and accommodation online, offenders reach out to their victims via mobile phone and online channels, which distort identities and protect anonymity. As understanding of the demand has deepened, it has become clear that those who engage directly in sexual exploitation of children can be anyone, an indistinct group of offenders that can go largely unnoticed. No longer formed by isolated cases of paedophiles, brutal transgressors, or perpetrators that are completely unknown to the child, demand for SEC may be generated by individuals acting in the circle of trust - a professional, a parent, an educator - making investigation and prosecution even more daunting. It has also been increasingly acknowledged, particularly by civil society organisations and in academic circles, that any strategy aimed to reduce the demand for SEC must necessarily address the complexity of socio-cultural, economic, and political factors that underpin its perpetuation. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2016. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 27, 2016 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/PowerImpunityandAnonymity.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/PowerImpunityandAnonymity.pdf Shelf Number: 139237 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. Regional Report South Asia Summary: More children than ever are at risk of being sexually exploited by travellers and tourists and no country is immune. Since the early 1990s when evidence came to light that European nationals were sexually abusing and exploiting children in developing countries, sharp increases in travel and tourism have multiplied the opportunities and venues available to travelling child sex offenders worldwide. An emerging destination for international tourists, South Asia recorded an impressive seven percent growth in the arrival of foreign visitors in 2014. Moreover, domestic travel has steadily increased within the region, thanks to a flourishing middle class. Hence, tourism is now a major source of income for many South Asian countries. The increased travel and the explosion of the internet and mobile technology has afforded perpetrators anonymity and hidden pathways to groom children and seduce them via social media and internet games. Likewise, new travel and tourism services like home-stays, voluntourism and the shareconomy have increased this anonymity and heightened children's vulnerability. However, progress has been made since the First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm in 1996. Twenty years later, world leaders from nearly every country in the world have approved global targets to address the sexual exploitation of children in the Sustainable Development Goals, which replace the Millennium Development Goals from 2016 onwards. Thus, goal 16 of the SDGs, namely to "promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels", is notably to be reached by "ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture of children" as stated in Target 16.2. The world has recognised that we cannot allow children to fall victim to this devastating experience, which has life-long consequences on their mental and physical well-being. This report provides an updated picture of the environment in which sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism persists in South Asia and proposes a set of recommendations to improve government, non-government and private sector responses to prevent and combat this crime. As such, it will assist in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals related to children's right to live free from sexual exploitation. After twenty five years of working on the issue, ECPAT cannot emphasise enough how important it is to join efforts and take advantage of multi-sector cooperation to fight this deplorable trend. This report is an open invitation to work with ECPAT and its partners and join the fight against sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism because together we can eliminate this crime and make childhood safe again. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2016. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 14, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Regional-Report-South-Asia.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Asia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Regional-Report-South-Asia.pdf Shelf Number: 139960 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Bochkor, N.P. Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Ukraine Summary: How did Ukraine appear in the list of countries where commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is common? It is difficult to answer, because the problem is hidden and its reasons are comprehensive. Ukraine does not have a chance to solve the problem before it is thoroughly studied. The study "Sexual exploitation of children in Ukraine: situation and counteraction" was conducted by the authors of International Women's Rights Center "La Strada-Ukraine". This work is a part of a global study on sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism in 15 countries within the framework of the project initiated by ECPAT - Netherlands. The aim of the study is to analyze the current situation with sexual exploitation and violence against children, especially in tourism, pornography, prostitution, trafficking and early marriages, and also develop recommendations to improve it. The study used a variety of methods, such as statistical, sociological, comparative and legal study, empirical methods. One of the basic principles of the study is the respect to children's rights according to the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite the fact that children at first sight often seem to provide sex-services voluntarily, the responsibility lies on the adult who exploits a child by engaging in sexual activities and violates child rights. Other important principles of the study are non-discrimination, equality, human rights approach, and child and youth participation. The research uses the following sources of information: content analysis of the web sites, analysis of legislation and administrative documents of state authorities, secondary analysis of information, desk-research of the related studies conducted in Ukraine. For example, data used for the content analysis consists of different texts obtained online by establishing specific searching parameters. The sample included texts that are topically related to combinations of the following key words: "Ukraine," "sex," "tourism," "women," "dating," "tour," "children," "girls." Furthermore, snowball sampling was used to obtain relevant texts; hypertext links provided access to related articles and comments. The vast majority of studied texts are in English. Publications and reports which were prepared in Ukraine during the last five years were analyzed. Among them - Annual Human Rights Report "Human rights in Ukraine" in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 prepared by nongovernmental organizations; researches conducted by different institutions on the request of UNICEF Ukraine; reports of the Ombudsman for Children under the President of Ukraine etc. Special attention was paid to the desk research of the materials and texts of sociological and criminological studies such as "Child sex tourism in Ukraine: attempt of situational analysis", "Where and how can be assisted victims of domestic abuse? Results of the monitoring of special institutions", "Legal Study to identify inconsistencies between Ukraine national legislation and provisions of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child", publications of ECPAT International etc. The research uses findings of the following publications: "Scientific and practical comment to the Law of Ukraine on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings", "Correspondence of Ukrainian legislation to the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings". Moreover, the research analyzes anti-trafficking legislation and experience of its implementation, as well as the legislation against sexual exploitation of children and experience of its practical implementation. Analysis also focused at activities against sexual exploitation of children and assistance to them initiated by civil society and international organizations. The study was conducted when Ukraine was facing the difficult times. Hostile aggression against Ukraine took place immediately after the Revolution of Dignity, and the East of the country is in the state of undeclared war actively supported by the Russian Federation. The deterioration of the social and economic status, activity of illegal armed groups, destroyed system of social protection in Donets and Luhansk oblasts, including protection of children, lead to the increasing problem with sexual exploitation of children. The survey among experts allows assuming that in current social and political situation CSEC might become more urgent, and estimating the impact of the military conflict and its consequences. At the end, there are some recommendations to legislation, activities of related state agencies and local authorities, international and civil society organizations. Details: La Strada Ukraine, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-UKRAINE.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Ukraine URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-UKRAINE.pdf Shelf Number: 147885 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: International Childrens Center (ICC) Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Turkey Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is one of the most heinous forms of child rights violations in in the world including in Turkey. While, in Turkey, national and local reports and studies mostly focus on sexual abuse of children, findings related to commercial sexual exploitation of children are extremely limited. There is almost no publication on this issue that contains evidence based information with the exception of few recent doctoral dissertations, reports by civil society organizations submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Pornography, a study conducted by the ECPAT International and Yeniden Saglik Association in 2006 and annual rights monitoring reports of the Human Rights Association. One reason for this scarcity is the fact that what CSEC consists of is not understood well and that the offence mostly takes the form of an underground activity committed by criminal enterprises difficult to spot. This report explores only one form of CSEC in Turkey as a contribution to a global study conducted by ECPAT International and its members all over the world Details: Ankara, Turkey: ICC, 2015. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: file:///C:/Users/pschultze/Downloads/3.-SECTT-TURKEY.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Turkey URL: file:///C:/Users/pschultze/Downloads/3.-SECTT-TURKEY.pdf Shelf Number: 140303 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Solian, Ahmad Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Indonesia Summary: GLOBAL STUDY ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM COUNTRY-SPECIFIC REPORT INDONESIA Indonesia is one of the world's major tourism destinations. It attracts millions of tourists every year from all over the world, including many local visitors. The high tourism rate in Indonesia is influenced by easy access to its nationwide tourist attractions, high volume of flights and cheap accommodation. The rising number of both local and foreign visitors has led to an increased demand for entertainment facilities, most notably in the sex trade. Research on child sex tourism in Indonesia conducted by ECPAT Indonesia found that, on the whole, Indonesia did not recognise or offer sex tourism in its popular destinations, although many manipulated the tourism industry to sexually exploit children. Details: Jakarta, Indonesia: ECPAT Indonesia, 2016. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/countries/Indonesia/ Year: 2016 Country: Indonesia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/countries/Indonesia/ Shelf Number: 140304 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Maskhulia, Mariam Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Georgia Summary: The Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF) conducted a qualitative research on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Georgia (CSEC), which contributed to the Global Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism (SECTT) that ECPAT International is currently undertaking. Implementation of the research was possible in the frames of the project "Reducing Violence against Children, with special focus on sexual exploitation of children and child sex tourism", which is carried out by PHF in partnership with Defence for Children - ECPAT Nederland. The research aimed at exploring the situation of children who are victims or at-risk of commercial sexual exploitation, social context in which such exploitations take place and what are the legal protections put in place to address the problem. Toward this end, twophase interventions were implemented. The first phase covered the desk-review process. In the second phase in-depth interviews with practitioners and decisionmakers, who work for and with children, were carried out and focus-group discussions were also held. The research found out that very little attention is given to CSEC, except the trafficking where extensive measures have been put in place both on legal and victims' protection levels. However, other manifestations of CSEC, such as child prostitution, child pornography and exploitation of children in travel and tourism have not yet deserved sufficient attention. This is a very first attempt to examine the CSEC nature in Georgia. Given research provides a general overview of the problem in Georgia and gathers opinions from child protection experts. It is believed that this report will serve as a pushing factor for further relevant and immediate actions to be undertaken in this direction towards going more into depth of the problem and setting up meaningful and feasible actions that will be carried out by responsible agencies in coordination. Unfortunately, children's protection from various manifestations of commercial sexual exploitation and sexual abuse is weak in much of the world despite the universal ratification of the CRC. Often, a harmonized legal framework is not accompanied by necessary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY changes to ensure implementation of effective policies, public awareness raising/prevention programs, professional training, services and practice. The nature of programmatic responses to child protection focus more on intervention than prevention, addressing the symptoms rather than improving the underlying systems that have failed to protect children. Taking into account the long-term consequences of commercial sexual exploitation of children, one could estimate why this issue is of current importance and why we should contribute to the protection of children from all its manifestations. Bearing in mind the gravity of CSEC crimes and its impact on children globally, the Committee on the Rights of the Child elaborated a separate Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (hereinafter "OPSC" or "Optional Protocol"). Also comprehensive regional instrument was enacted to protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, namely Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (hereinafter "Lanzarote Convention"). There are number of measures and action plans developed on the global level, which call on states to undertake specific measures towards combating CSEC, particularly: The Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action, Yokohama and Rio World Congresses and call for global commitment. All children are at risk of violence, but the Global Survey confirms that today, as in 2006, the most vulnerable children are those at greatest risk of violence: those with disabilities, those who migrate, those who are confined to institutions, and those whose poverty and social exclusion expose them to deprivation, neglect and, at times, to the inherent dangers of life on the streets. The major problem of CSEC is its hidden nature. Nonreporting is the greatest challenge, which triggers numerous problems for the victims and their future life and unfortunately these life-long problems cannot be evaluated to understand the actual devastation of individual's lives across the universe. Georgian society is also facing the problem of non-reporting. The majority of the pull and push factors to CSEC unfortunately exist in Georgia thus provides ground to believe that the issue is more severe than it seems in reality. The ground for prioritizing CSEC exists in Georgia; however a political will is necessary to integrate this problem into the mainstream of relevant child protection and welfare policies and appropriate action plans. Unfortunately, no information is available on the situation of children from the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. What is known that rule of law and social protection of local population is quite weak, which raises sufficient doubt that children from these regions are likely to be affected by all forms of violence and exploitation. Summary of key findings: - There is a lack of evidence-based information on CSEC in Georgia, thus making it extremely difficult to provide substantial analysis of the issue; - The biggest challenge and the utmost need is that CSEC is not acknowledged as a problem in Georgia and efforts are directed towards combating trafficking in persons, while all other manifestations of CSEC are not sufficiently addressed; - There are some measures against sexual violence but under the boarder context of violence against children and specific measures for sexual abuse or CSEC are very limited or do not exist at all; - Child professionals in Georgia do not have special knowledge how to address the needs of children who are engaged in prostitution and services, social benefits and support programs offered by the Government or NGOs cannot 'compete' with lifestyle pursued by these children; - The average age of child's engagement in prostitution is 14-15 years and unplanned pregnancy among these children is common; - Professionals who work with children come into contact with children engaged in prostitution indirectly, i.e. interact with children who live or work on the streets in terms of fulfilling their basic needs, and not because of their engagement in prostitution; - Professionals necessitate knowledge not only in how to identify children affected by various forms of CSEC, but how to work with those who are already engaged in prostitution, are victim of child pornography, etc. This is a request of the professionals who see child prostitution as a problem, but do not have specialised knowledge and skills on the issue; - Preventive measures "not enough" and reporting mechanisms inadequate for responding CSEC needs; - There is a problem with the enforcement of CSEC-specific legislation and practice does not properly ensure rights of child to protection and rehabilitation. Details: Tbilisi, Georgia: Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF), 2015. 64. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-GEORGIA.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Georgia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-GEORGIA.pdf Shelf Number: 147887 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Pruneda, Olalla Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: China Summary: China is home to 274 million children, the second largest child population in the world. Over the past three decades, the country has experienced remarkable progress in poverty alleviation and living standards, including the realisation of universal access to primary education and a drastic reduction in child mortality. However, growing regional disparities and migration are having a great impact on the lives of more than 100 million Chinese children today. Of them, 36 million have migrated to the cities with their parents with no right to education or health care services in the urban areas where they live. Meanwhile, nearly 70 million of them have become the so-called "left-behind children", in the care of relatives in their home villages. Away from the protection of their parents or unable to register as legal residents of China's cities, they are the most vulnerable children in China today, running the risk of being trafficked, sexually exploited or dragged into other forms of forced labour. With 14 per cent of the world's children, the "high prevalence of sexual exploitation and abuse against children, including rape" in China is an issue of paramount importance for all concerned with children's wellbeing. In the midst of China's outstanding economic growth and the resulting deep social transformations, a new trend is emerging which places new challenges for the protection of children. It is the growth of China's domestic tourism market and the country's consolidation as the fastest-growing tourism source market on a global scale. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Today nearly one in ten tourists in the world is Chinese. All forecasts suggest that the growing trend will continue over the next few years and "will surely continue to change the map of world tourism", in the words of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. Chinese travellers are the biggest spenders globally since 2012. Neighbouring countries and regions are expected to remain as the preferred destinations for Chinese tourists in the coming years, with Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan leading the way at present. Within China, domestic travel spending (90.9 per cent) is far more important than foreign visitor spending (9.1 per cent). Furthermore, the economic weight of the domestic tourism and travel sector keeps growing, generating 9.3 per cent of its GDP and employing 64.4 million Chinese in 2013.9 Tourism development is mostly taking place in ethnic minority regions such as Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet, drawing on the folklorisation of these groups by representing them as an 'exotic' other. In the light of this ethnic tourism trend, the local population of ethnic minority areas appear to pin their hopes of further economic development on the increasing arrival of urban Han Chinese. The conflation of these trends with growing regional disparities, which are leading hundreds of millions to move to China's cities and industrial areas in search of a better job, create an unprecedented challenge to ensure the protection of children's rights. In addition, a traditional preference for sons has resulted in a skewed sex ratio of 118 boys born for every 100 girls as of 2014. As a result of this preference and the in 2015 abolished one-child policy, Chinas population appears to be "aging and increasingly male". This seems to suggest that the demand for prostitution and forced marriages will most likely keep increasing over the coming decades. With the country's economic growth, its entertainment industry has developed rapidly on the more developed eastern coast of the country as well as in tourist spots across the country. China's business culture involves frequenting entertainment venues as a necessary step in building trust among business partners. The presence of teenagers in entertainment venues where sex services are offered to tourists and travellers seems a recurrent problem as Chinese society sees an erosion of the family values rooted in the Confucian tradition. However, we still have very limited data on the magnitude and features of this growing problem in China. Further research is needed to better understand who are the children most adversely affected, who are the offenders and how they operate, as well as what else can be done to enhance the protection of children's rights. In early 2015, important steps are being taken to remove the stigmatising "soliciting underage prostitution" crime to replace it for statutory rape. However, the Criminal Law still makes no specific reference to the crime of facilitating the prostitution of boys under 18 or girls between 14 and 18 years of age. This report aims to shed new light on the heinous crime of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism in China and by Chinese travellers abroad by reviewing research conducted to date by academics, governments, international organisations and NGOs. It hopes to help identify the gaps of what we know about this phenomenon at present in order to encourage further research and improve existing laws and policies to better protect children and ensure their recovery and reintegration. It is our shared responsibility. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2015. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-CHINA.pdf Year: 2015 Country: China URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-CHINA.pdf Shelf Number: 147888 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: ECPAT Brazil Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Brazil Summary: People who have suffered from the enduring societal scourge of sexual exploitation of children (SEC) have urgently and tirelessly campaigned alongside advocates to eradicate SEC and the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (SECTT) while never forgetting the devastating impact the phenomenon reaps upon nations, communities, families and the children themselves. In Brazil, modern-day slavery and child labour are rampant. Many have raised concerns as to the effects of mega sports events on the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in a country already facing such challenges. As is well-known, Brazil was home to the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and is about to be host to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games this year. With the surging number of tourists and travellers - tourism in Brazil tripled in June 2014, when the World Cup took place -, members of civil society organisations feared that more children would be at a greater risk in certain areas of the country. Despite acknowledging that perhaps no increase in CSEC was registered, improvements in this area have not been achieved either . Furthermore, the development and expansion of the internet has facilitated travel while granting anonymity to a growing number of sexual exploitation networks, enabling them to develop new ways to escape identification by existing protection systems. Details: Rio de Janeiro: ECPAT Brazil, 2015. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-BRAZIL.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Brazil URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-BRAZIL.pdf Shelf Number: 140307 Keywords: Child LaborChild PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Defence for Children International Title: Reducing violence against children, with special focus on sexual exploitation of children and child sex tourism in 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East Summary: Violence against children is a grave human rights violation. The human, social and economic costs of denying children their right to protection are huge and unacceptable. Universal and regional legal instruments set clear and attainable standards to protect children from sexual violence and exploitation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child requires States to provide measures protecting children against neglect, abuse and sexual exploitation, and to provide child victims with special help to recover and reintegrate into society. In the past ten years, the full range and scale of (sexual) violence against children worldwide has become increasingly visible.1 Violence against children, including gender based violence, sexual violence and exploitation, are pervasive violations of children's rights which remain widespread. To reduce violence against children, with special focus on sexual exploitation of children and child sex tourism, the specific objective is to ensure a greater, more effective Civil Society response. Furthermore, the programme will provide evidence based global guidance to combat sexual exploitation of children in Travel and Tourism. In this programme, Defence for Children - ECPAT The Netherlands works to combat violence against children, with a special focus on sexual exploitation and child sex tourism, in 30 countries, in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. In every country, or set of countries, the programme will be adjusted to the specific problems the country faces and the related specific needs of children. Details: Geneva, SWIT: Defence for Children, 2014. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 19, 2016 at: http://www.defenceforchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/DCINetherlands_Programme2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.defenceforchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/DCINetherlands_Programme2014.pdf Shelf Number: 145382 Keywords: Child Sex TourismChild Sexual ExploitationViolence against Children |
Author: Ampong, George Oppong Title: A study on violence against children with special focus on sexual exploitation and child sex tourism in Ghana. Summary: The study was conducted in eighteen (18) communities in the Kumasi-Mampong Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and focuses on four thematic areas of violence against children: the forms of violence; prevalence rate of violence; the effect of violence against children; and existing protective mechanisms of violence against children. The report "A study on violence against children with special focus on sexual exploitation and child sex tourism in Ghana" provides opportunity for evidence-based advocacy on violence against children at the local communities, district, national, regional and international levels in terms of policy, programme, action and strategic initiatives Details: Defence for Children, Ghana; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, 2016. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 19, 2016 at: https://issuu.com/defenceforchildren/docs/violence_against_children_report_-_ Year: 2016 Country: Ghana URL: https://issuu.com/defenceforchildren/docs/violence_against_children_report_-_ Shelf Number: 145379 Keywords: Child Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationViolence against Childre |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Regional Overview: Combating The Sexual Exploitation of Children in South Asia: Evolving Trends, Existing Responses and Future Priorities Summary: This report offers an overview of the sexual exploitation of children (SEC), including in its commercial forms (CSEC), as it emerges in the eight countries that form South Asia - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - and are members of SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. A special focus is placed on three manifestations characterising the regional context, namely, online child sexual exploitation (OCSE), SEC in travel and tourism (SECTT) and SEC in child, early and forced marriage (CEFM). Research studies and regular data generation on issues relating to child sexual abuse and exploitation are scanty in the region because of the cultural sensitivity around the problem and lack of regular programme monitoring systems. This study seeks to offer an overview of the situation of children at risk or victims of SEC on the basis of existing evidence by - Exploring emerging socio-economic drivers compounding the problem; - Analysing the main manifestations of SEC in the specific regional context; - Reviewing the policy and legal responses that enable or, to the contrary, hinder child protection and safety, further calling attention to persisting gaps; and - Finally proposing a set of actions necessary to move forward in the fight against sexual violence against children in South Asia. In 2014, ECPAT had produced a similar document titled The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in South Asia. Developments, Progress, Challenges and Recommended Strategies for Civil Society. The present situation analysis not only provides an update of the earlier study, but also a new perspective on the problem. It investigates the various issues relating to SEC from the point of view of a society taking a new development path and undergoing a phase of fast and profound transformation. The point of observation is that of a complex change encompassing substantial economic growth, rapid urbanisation and migration. Increased wealth and mobility, together with the fast penetration of information and communication technologies, are offering unprecedented opportunities to the young generations of South Asians and opening new windows on the rest of the world. The same transformations, however, also expose young people to the risks typically associated with modern living, lifestyles and worldviews. Section 1 of the report, the Introduction, seeks to sketch the backdrop against which SEC is occurring in South Asia as the new does not necessarily replace the old, but rather leads to a stratification of pre-existing and recent manifestations of sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. South Asia is a land of contrasts. As the region is poised to become, with the rest of Asia, the largest global market of the future, a sizeable portion of its population still lives in subsistence economies and traditional communities. The region ranks at the very top globally in a number of significant areas. Economically, South Asia is the fastest growing region worldwide; socially, it is leading the urbanisation of the planet (with the rest of Asia and Africa); and technologically, India alone is one of the three markets with the highest numbers of mobile accounts among young people in the South of the world. However, despite such impressive progress, globally the region still accounts for the largest concentration of people living in absolute poverty; displays some of the worst human development outcomes in areas such as healthcare, schooling and per capita expenditure or income; hosts the majority of modern slaves trapped in forced prostitution, forced marriage, forced labour and organ trafficking; is home to the largest number of child brides and child labourers; is responsible for the bulk of the out-of-school children (together with West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa); and, jointly with Sub-Saharan Africa, accounts for over three quarters of child deaths caused by climate change in recent decades. If history is any guide, the constantly growing size and speed of human and financial flows in the absence of adequate protection policies for vulnerable populations may lead to a hike in sexual violence against children in the future. Research activities in the realm of SEC will need to increasingly focus on such influential trends to analyse how systemic change may impact the safety and protection of children by transforming the root causes of child abuse. Within this backdrop, Section 2 analytically reviews several manifestations of SEC as these emerge in a number of settings such as - Information and communication technologies, whose penetration in South Asia has been growing at a substantially faster pace than other kinds of infrastructure and services necessary for human development, while also, in parallel, rapidly multiplying risks relating primarily to the creation and trade of child sexual abuse material by perpetrators displaying a sexual interest in children, and to sexual harassment and extortion of children online by perpetrators generally known to the victims; - Travel and tourism, in the context of rising trends in international tourist arrivals, matched with a steady increase in domestic travellers who can now reach out to children in novel settings such as homestays or childcare institutions; - Child, early and forced marriage (CEFM), which local cultures may view as a form of protection from sexual harassment for adolescent girls rather than as a condition that can expose girls and women to life-long systematic sexual violence; - Child trafficking still persisting in South Asian countries, despite efforts in this area having been more systematised and institutionalised than in others over time; - Sexual exploitation of children (SEC), continuing in the context of the traditional sex trade and now evolving in technology-facilitated forms; - Child labour, often unrecognised as a vast reservoir for sexual exploitation, but in fact being a major channel to SEC, especially in certain occupations, such as domestic labour, widespread across South Asia; and - Humanitarian crises, conflicts and environmental disasters, which dramatically exacerbate the pre-existing vulnerabilities of children and weaken the capacity of poor communities to protect their families. Section 3 reviews existing legal, policy and programme responses being implemented at local, national and regional levels to address SEC in the areas highlighted in the previous section, while also seeking to identify major gaps and challenges. All South Asian countries have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC), in addition to other important regional instruments (such as the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combatting Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, and the SAARC Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare in South Asia). However, the Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons has been fully ratified by only Afghanistan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, while none of the SAARC countries has so far developed national legislation harmonised with the OPSC, specific laws addressing issues such as SECTT or OCSE, or substantive extraterritorial jurisdiction. Progressive policies have been designed in the areas of protection of children from sexual offences, trafficking, child labour and early marriage by most countries in the region, while initial attempts have been made to respond to online threats, mainly by setting up webbased portals aimed at spreading information on child trafficking, tracking down trafficked and missing children, and supporting confidential reporting. Lack of proper awareness, implementation and enforcement, however, emerges as the main challenge with regard to the implementation of policies and laws. In addition to efforts by governments, the growing South Asian private sector has also started contributing proactively, especially by adopting more stringent corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidelines. Its involvement in the realm of SEC, however, remains rather limited, especially with reference to the ICT and travel and tourism industries whose role in preventing harm by online and travelling child sex predators would be particularly relevant. Civil society organisations continue to play a key role in the fight against the various manifestations of SEC, although the scope of their interventions may be normally limited to the local level and not always receive adequate support or recognition by the government. Children's and young people's groups have become more active in combatting SEC, even though they need more opportunities to access sexuality education, enhance awareness about online and offline threats, and gain further agency. An important platform for coordination among the various partners involved is the South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC), a SAARC Apex body acting, since 2005, as an inter-governmental mechanism committed to promoting the rights and protection of children at the regional level. Especially relevant in the context of SEC has been the recent 4th SAIEVAC Ministerial Meeting, held from 9-11 May 2016 in New Delhi, which led to a joint commitment by SAARC Member States to frame a region-wide strategy with the aim of tackling the sexual of children, especially online, through trafficking, and in travel and tourism. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT, 2017. 168p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2018 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Regional-Overview_South-Asia.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Asia URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Regional-Overview_South-Asia.pdf Shelf Number: 149500 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Prostitution Child ProtectionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Computer Crimes Internet Crimes |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Regional Office for South Asia Title: India Country Report: To Prevent and Combat Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Women Summary: Traffi cking of human beings, especially of women and children, is an organized crime that violates basic human rights. As per the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Traffi cking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, traffi cking is defi ned as any activity leading to recruitment, transportation, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or a position of vulnerability. Traffi cking as a crime has seen an increasing trend especially in the last two decades globally. Human traffi cking has been identifi ed as the third largest source of profi t for organized crime, following arms and drug traffi cking, generating billions of dollars annually at the global level. Traffi cking takes places for various purposes such as labour, prostitution, organ trade, drug couriers, arms smuggling etc. However, these cannot be seen in isolation as they have a crosscutting nexus and linkage, which compounds the constraints faced in tackling the problem. It is also seen that while the methods used for traffi cking such as coercion, duping, luring, abducting, kidnapping etc. are commonly cited, it is the social and economic constraints of the victims that make them most vulnerable. With growing globalization and liberalization, the possibilities and potential for traffi cking have also grown. People tend to migrate in search of better opportunities. Though this is a positive trend, it has also led to the emergence of other complex issues such as smuggling of people across borders and unsafe migration by unscrupulous touts and agents. While trafficking has severe implications on the psycho-social and economic well-being of the victim, highly adverse ramifications are also seen on the society and the nation. By denying the victims their basic rights to good health, nutrition, education and economic independence, the country loses a large number of women and children as victims to this crime, who otherwise would have contributed productively to its growth. A growing concern is that trafficking has an adverse impact on the problem of HIV/AIDS too. Some studies have revealed that the longer the confinement in brothels, the greater is the probability of the victims contracting HIV/AIDS due to poor negotiation for safe sex methods. The country has to incur huge costs for health and rehabilitation as well as for law enforcement. Trafficking - Situation in India India is a Republic comprising 28 States and seven Union Territories, and has a population of more that one billion. The Constitution of India envisages a parliamentary form of government and is federal in nature, with unitary features. The States of India vary greatly in terms of language, culture, religion and tradition. Over the years, India has emerged as a source, destination, and transit country for traffi cking for varied purposes such as for commercial sexual exploitation and labour. While intra-country traffi cking forms the bulk of the traffi cked victims, cross-border traffi cking also takes place, especially from Nepal and Bangladesh. Women and children are also traffi cked to the Middle Eastern countries and other parts of the world for purposes of cheap labour and commercial sexual exploitation. The number of traffi cked persons is diffi cult to determine due to the secrecy and clandestine nature of the crime. However, studies and surveys sponsored by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) estimates that there are about three million prostitutes in the country, of which an estimated 40 percent are children, as there is a growing demand for very young girls to be inducted into prostitution on account of customer preferences. A few alarming trends that have emerged in recent years are sexual exploitation through sex tourism, child sex tourism, paedophilia, prostitution in pilgrim towns and other tourist destinations, cross-border traffi cking (especially from Nepal and Bangladesh) etc. Substantial efforts have been made in the last decade or so in the area of Anti-Human Traffi cking by government institutions/state machinery, the civil society organizations, the judiciary and the law enforcement authorities. The purpose of this India Country Report is multi-pronged: Primarily, it documents the journey traversed by India in addressing the issues of traffi cking in women and children from World Congress II (WCII - Yokohama, 2002) to World Congress III on Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (WCIII - Rio de Janeiro, 2008)1. It elucidates the good practices in the area of anti-human traffi cking in the country and also acknowledges the efforts of the government, civil society organizations, international, bilateral and multilateral agencies, survivor groups, as well as dedicated individuals in the country to combat this heinous crime. Finally, the document also explicates the processes through which prevention, protection and prosecution efforts, towards anti-human traffi cking, have evolved in India. The report will not only be a tool for presenting the anti-human traffi cking efforts in India at the World Congress III (Rio de Janeiro, November 2008), but also act as an advocacy document to identify and infl uence future programming. Details: New Delhi, India: United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, 2008. 81p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 15, 2019 at: https://www.unodc.org/pdf/india/publications/India%20Country%20Report.pdf Year: 2008 Country: India URL: https://www.unodc.org/pdf/india/publications/India%20Country%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 157008 Keywords: Child Sex TourismExploitationForced LaborIndiaProstitutionSex TourismSex TraffickingSex WorkTrafficking in Persons |