The organization ECPAT International (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) released a report in November 2008 on the global problem of child sex trafficking. In 2001, the Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children took place in Yokohama, Japan. The ECPAT report sums up the progress that has been made to end child trafficking since that conference. The organization reports that since 2001, many countries have passed laws, and new international instruments such as the UN Trafficking Protocol have been implemented to combat child trafficking. However, most of the laws discuss “human trafficking” by grouping children and adults together, which neglects the special needs of children. The paper also reviews guidelines issued by UNICEF in 2006 on protecting child victims of trafficking [PDF, 46 pages] and reviews other mechanisms being used to prevent child trafficking around the globe. Finally, the report highlights key lessons learned since 2001 and discusses six recommendations to improve strategies and policies.
Compiled from: Dottridge, Mike, Child Trafficking for Sexual Purposes, End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes, 25-28 November 2008 [PDF, 98 pages].