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Strengthening responses to child sexual exploitation in Asia during COVID-19

Posted on Nov 18, 2020

Today on the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, the Thailand Ministry of Justice Department of Special Investigations, ECPAT International and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Thailand will gather experts representing intergovernmental bodies, civil society organisations and national and international law enforcement agencies to address current and emerging trends related to child sexual exploitation in Asia. 

The impact of COVID-19 increases the rates of inequality, poverty, hunger and the necessity to cover basic needs which in consequence further exacerbate the vulnerability of children and their families to sexual exploitation. This consultation will focus on assessing where Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are in their current response to grooming. Additionally, as the grooming of children often intersects with other manifestations of sexual exploitation, this consultation will also provide a general platform to discuss implications and legal ramifications in relation to the sexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism, through trafficking, and online. It aims at creating a regional cooperation platform bringing together civil society, law enforcement and policymakers to protect children from sexual exploitation in Asia.

ECPAT members from the region will join the discussions and report about the situation for children in their countries. We’re happy to welcome APLE Cambodia, ECPAT Indonesia, ECPAT Philippines, CWIN (ECPAT Nepal), PEaCE/ECPAT Sri Lanka and VARC (ECPAT Vietnam).