NCJ Number
195567
Date Published
2000
Length
117 pages
Annotation
This document describes the international problem of sexual exploitation of children and provides recommendations.
Abstract
The sexual abuse and exploitation of children by adults surpasses all national boundaries. Some examples of the dimensions of sexual exploitation of children include child sex tourism, cross-border trafficking of children for sexual purposes, child pornography, and the use of the Internet as a new channel for the proliferation of these forms of abuse and exploitation. The recommendations cover a wide array of measures aimed at better protecting children from sexual exploitation and ensuring that their abusers are properly prosecuted and convicted all over the world. International action includes defining sexual offenses against children, promoting regional international courts of child rights, and encouraging international cooperation in the exchanging of information and the development of databases. National action includes elevating the profile of child rights in the political agenda, promoting effective law enforcement in both the destination countries and the countries of origin, and forming multidisciplinary teams to provide integrated interventions to help the child victim. The protection of children must be the first priority in all legislation with respect to investigations, proceedings, and follow-up. The response of the computer industry, especially the Internet Service Providers, against child pornography should be promoted. The training of relevant professionals, including law enforcement, welfare workers, and researchers should take into account the special requirements of child victims and child witnesses. Research is required on the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of extraterritorial legislation in combating the international dimensions of the sexual exploitation of children. All interventions affecting child victims must be made more child- and gender-sensitive. Victim protection programs and programs to protect child rights defenders from harassment should be enhanced. The International Bureau for Children’s Rights should compile information about “best practice” in the field of children-friendly systems and procedures and disseminate the findings. 3 annexes