The World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents convened from 25-28 November 2008, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Congress was organized by the Government of Brazil and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT) also participated. Participants discussed legal provisions, perpetrator accountability and reviewed the action plans that were implemented in the years after the 2001 Congress in Yokohama, Japan. The Congress acknowledged the complexities of sexual exploitation and identified a number of factors that allow it to persist—social inequality, poverty, sex-tourism industry and more. Participants also called on states to ratify relevant treaties and focus on enforcement and prevention measures. To read the full World Congress III overview document, click here (word doc., 12 pages)
To visit the World Congress III website, click here.
Compiled from: “A Rights-Based Approach to Fighting Sexual Exploitation of Children,” Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, November 2008; “The Rio de Janeiro Declaration and Plan of Action to Prevent and Stop Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents,” World Congress III, 28 November 2008.