Child Trafficking, Exploitation on the Rise, Warns UN Expert
New York, Mar 13 2014 - In an increasingly interconnected world, children are more at risk that ever of being sexually
exploited or sold, a United Nations independent expert warned today, calling for decisive steps at the global level to
stop crimes such as child prostitution and trafficking.
“Millions of girls and boys worldwide are victims of sexual exploitation, even though this issue in recent years has
gained increased visibility,” said Najat Maalla M’jid, the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, as she
presented her final report to the 25th session of the Human Rights Council, which opened last week and is to wrap on 28
March.
Social tolerance and impunity, persistent demand and the lucrative aspect of this trade for global criminal networks are
only some of the factors that make children increasingly vulnerable, she said, adding that “the ongoing development of
new technologies has made access to children in all parts of the world easier and increased exploitation.”
The availability of child pornography online is growing. “Child victims of online sexual exploitation are younger and
younger, and the images are more and more horrific,” explained Ms. Maalla M’jid, whose report provides an overview of
the main issues and trends relating to her six-year long mandate.
The Special Rapporteur stressed that certain forms of sexual exploitation are increasing such as trafficking of children
for sexual and economic purposes, child sex tourism and online child sexual exploitation, but noted that the true scope
of the problem was not clear due to inadequate legislation, lack of reliable data, and under-reporting.
“The clandestine nature of such exploitation, the fear of reprisals and stigmatization, as well as the lack of
child-sensitive complaints mechanisms, also hampers our understanding of these crimes,” she said.
“The destinations for child sex tourism are continually changing, as perpetrators tend to choose countries with weak
legislation and controls,” noted the UN expert.
In her presentation, Ms. Maalla M’jid drew attention to the “serious and long-lasting physical, psychological and social
effects, not only for the girls and boys who are the direct victims, but also for their families and communities,”
regretting that this impact is not sufficiently understood and taken into account when addressing recovery, remedies and
compensation.
“Despite significant efforts and reiterated global commitments, much still needs to be done to protect, rehabilitate and
reintegrate victims, provide reparation to children for the damage they have suffered, sanction those responsible,
change certain social norms, and to ultimately prevent such exploitation,” the expert said, urging the international
community to establish a global response, through a global legal framework and sustainable transnational co-operation.
In addition, Ms. Maalla M’jid called for close co-operation with the private sector, and for strong corporate social
responsibility among internet service providers, telecommunications, tourism and travel industry, media and financial
institutions.
“Children must also be involved in assessing the scale of the problem and developing solutions,” she added.
“As the world reflects on universal development goals for the post-2015 era, bearing in mind the strong connections
between economic, social, and political development and child protection issues, child-sensitive protection must be
included in the post-2015 development agenda,” the Special Rapporteur concluded.
Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and
report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not
UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS