France / Sale and sexual exploitation of children: towards a comprehensive and coordinated approach that guarantees the
best interest of the child
PARIS (2 December 2011) - The Special Rapporteur Ms Najat Maalla M’jid encouraged the government to adopt a
comprehensive approach to guarantee the protection of all children victims or vulnerable to various forms of
exploitation without any discrimination. She welcomed the efforts undertaken by the French Government in the area of
preventing and combating the sale and sexual exploitation of children.
“Although the extent of the sale and sexual exploitation of children remains unclear, the phenomenon of cyber
pornography is alarmingly increasing,” she said. This is the second visit to the country since 2002 by an independent
expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography.
The Special Rapporteur also noted the increasing vulnerability of children from dysfunctional families and/or families
living in precarious situations. She particularly highlighted the highvulnerability of unaccompanied foreign minors to
all forms of exploitation. Moreover, the use of non-secure new technologies by children subjects them to risks of sexual
solicitations and exposure to pornographic material.
During her mission in France from 21 November to 2 December, the Special Rapporteur met with various State and local
authorities, civil society and private sector representatives. She also visited children care centres and shelters in
Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille.
The objective of her mission was to report on the actual situation of sale, prostitution and pornography of children in
France; as well as to highlight their responses in terms of prevention and protection.
France has developed a strong legislation that has allowed the establishment of an elaborate child protection system,
however, the ongoing production of new laws and the repressive trend could jeopardize these accomplishments. Numerous
programs on assistance, support and care of children in difficult situations are provided primarily by the local
authorities (“Conseils Généraux”). A wide choice of continuous training programmes is also available to those involved
in child protection.
However, despite all efforts by the authorities and the strong mobilization of the civil society, the protection and
care of children remains fragmented, unequal depending on the capacities of the local authorities and suffers from lack
of inter-sectorial coordination. The social services are overwhelmed, and their capacities to accommodate and accompany
children are exceeded.
The special rapporteur highlighted the need for a national strategic framework and an effective inter-sectorial
coordination. As the protection of children is a cross cutting and comprehensive issue, continued, systematic and
interdisciplinary trainings would contribute to the improvement of the quality of the provision of care for children.
Moreover, the current economic situation should not affect the resources allocated to child protection. The Special
Rapporteur also encouraged France to continue intensifying all initiatives relating to international cooperation to
combat crimes that transcend borders.
ENDS
Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid (Morocco) was appointed Special Rapporteur on the sale of children in May 2008. She is
independent from any government or organization. Ms. Maalla M’jid is paediatrician and member of the Commission on the
Rights of the Child of the Moroccan National Consultative Council on Human Rights, and the founder of the
non-governmental organization BAYTI, the first programme addressing the situation of children living in the street in
Morocco.
Learn more about the mandate and work of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Children/Pages/ChildrenIndex.aspx
OHCHR Country Page – France: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/FRIndex.aspx