Sexual exploitation of children : simply unacceptable

Terre des Hommes runs programmes to inform communities about the danger of sexual exploitation and about measures to protect themselves, and to provide rehabilitation and care for children trapped into the sex industry. Terre des Hommes also works on the prevention side to increase household income, so that children can stay within their families and learn other skills than those merely for survival.

Sexual exploitation is a most degrading form of child abuse and has always been a priority for Terre des Hommes. Through its membership in the Co-ordinating Committee of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Terre des Hommes was a partner in the organisation of two successful world congresses against the commercial sexual exploitation of children (Stockholm 1996 and Yokohama 2001). The two congresses highlighted the need for collaboration between all sectors of society.

Terre des Hommes is a supporter of the Focal Point Programme on the Sexual Exploitation, abuse and violence of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child which aims to promote synergy between international and national NGOs, UN agencies and professional groups. The Focal Point Programme has been instrumental in facilitating implementation of commitments made in Stockholm and Yokohama at regional and national levels.

November, 2008

3rd World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of children and adolescents: Rio de Janeiro November 25-28, 2008
Going step by step

The 3rd World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents has ended in Rio de Janeiro on Friday November 28, after a week of intense work involving 3400 participants, including 170 government delegations, 850 NGOs, 260 journalists and 300 children and adolescents. The Congress had been opened on Tuesday November 25, by President Lula in the presence of Queen Silvia of Sweden, who actively participated in the Congress work. The Congress resulted in an international plan of action reflecting the commitments taken by participating states, civil society and corporate actors in the fight against sexual exploitation and the trafficking of children.

Sexual exploitation of children is a scourge that spares no region or social groups. According to the UN, an estimated 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual abuse. Alarmingly the most commonly reported perpetrators of sexual violence against girls are male family members. An estimated 82 million girls around the world, some as young as 10 years of age will marry before their 18th birthday and an estimated 1.8 million children are victims of prostitution or pornography.

Terre des Hommes contributed to the preparation of the Congress and was actively present during all its work. It co-organized 6 workshops on protecting children against sexual exploitation. One workshop on sex tourism, for example, presented the work undertaken in collaboration with local NGOs concerning extraterritorial laws which most Western countries have put in place. These laws allow to prosecute European tourists for sexual abuses committed abroad and the sex offenders are often first identified by NGOs.

Terre des Hommes (Netherlands) workshop

Terre des Hommes also presented its latest research on protecting children on the move1 to the Congress. The study highlights the increased number of children on the move who leave home either forced or voluntarily, the dangers they face, and the general lack of knowledge about this phenomenon.
The Congress highlighted existing and emerging practices and allowed exchange of knowledge among different sectors of society involved in child protection. As an example, an entire afternoon was devoted to corporate social responsibility. Many examples were presented about initiatives by the tourism and transport industry to prevent child sexual exploitation, as well as about new uses of the Internet. The Congress also gathered various professions involved in the fight against sexual exploitation, such as the police or juvenile justice.

1 Mike Dottridge : Kids abroad : ignore them, abuse them or protect them ? Lessons on how to protect children on the move from being exploited

For more information and to download the outcome document of the Congress, click here.

Fight against child sex tourism

Help stop sexual exploitation of children

Every year thousands of European tourist travel to countries in Asia, South America, Africa and Southeast Europe to have sex with minors. Although it is illegal, hardly any of the offenders get caught. This has to stop. Terre des Hommes has launched a campaign to end child sex tourism, focusing on investigation and prosecution of sex offenders while protecting victims. Unfortunately neither is now common. Other NGO’s and Members of the European Parliament joined the campaign with the online petition www.sayno.eu. With your signature you will express your concerns about sexual exploitation of children all over the world. The petition will be offered to politicians during the World Conference in Rio de Janeiro November 2008.

In-flight spot to combat sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism

The sexual exploitation of children is a crime worldwide. Unfortunately, it often takes place in connection with travel and tourism.

The in-flight-spot “Witness” has been produced by Terre des Hommes Germany in collaboration with the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. It was first screened in March 2006. “Witness” aims at drawing viewers' attention to criminal sexual exploitation in tourist destinations. Travellers are made aware of the fact that there are many opportunities to stop the sexual exploitation of children during their holidays – provided that everyone is on their guard.

Nowadays, “Witness” is being screened internationally. The international version is supported by UNWTO, the United Nations tourist division. It has been presented to international airline associations and to the airlines themselves.

To see the spot, please click here.

Some of our projects to combat the sexual exploitation of children:

Cambodia, a light at the end of the tunnel

A cook in the city! At 14, the offer sounds like a dream, especially to a child who never has enough to eat. However, instead of earning money in the restaurant, Chanthorn was sold: first to an old man who sexually abused her and then to a brothel in Poi Pet. The two-year ordeal of the Cambodian girl came to an end when the police raided the brothel. Today she stays in the crisis centre for women (CWCC) supported by Terre des Hommes (Germany) in the capital city of Phnom Penh and is undergoing training as a dressmaker. Like Chanthorn, in recent years CWCC has helped several hundred girls to take their first steps in a life without daily violence.

India, breaking the silence

We all know that it happens even within home. Yet we are silent. Terre des Hommes (Denmark) has decided to break this silence and supports abused children through the FACSE (Forum Against Child Sexual Exploitation).
The FASCE is working in Mumbai, India and it is an association of social development organisations, professionals like lawyers, doctors, psychologists, journalists, theatre personalities, development workers and others. It creates informed awareness amongst the public and advocates for changes in the legal system.