JOINT PRESS RELEASE
PANAMA CITY, 11 May 2017 – A new guide published today aims to help religious communities worldwide harness their strengths to prevent, respond to and end online child sexual exploitation. Published by ECPAT International and Religions for Peace in partnership with UNICEF, Protecting Children from Online Sexual Exploitation recognises that religious leaders and communities can provide the moral compass that is needed to end this crime.
Information and communications technologies and the Internet are exposing children to new and evolving forms of sexual exploitation, as seen in a staggering expansion of child sexual abuse materials online. Practices such as ‘sexting’ (the self-production and sharing of sexual messages or images) also place children at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation.
The new Guide recognises that faith-based organisations and religious leaders are in a unique position to mobilise moral authority on this issue, influence thinking, generate debate and set standards for others to follow. They are also well-placed to take action when offenders ask for help, and to give families the advice and the tools they need to protect their children.
“If the world is to eliminate online sexual exploitation of children, the world’s most influential bodies must play their part. And few – if any – have more influence than religious communities,” said Dorothy Rozga, Executive Director of ECPAT International, speaking at the launch of the Guide at the 5th Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC). “They are the largest and most inter-connected social organisations in existence. With most of the world’s population – around five billion people – belonging to religious communities, their potential to spearhead the fight against this appalling crime is immense,” said Rozga.
The Guide sets out the online risks to children and the impact of online child sexual exploitation, as well as the skewed motivations of offenders and intermediaries, including traffickers and pimps. Outlining the critical role of religious communities in addressing this crime, the guide notes their spiritual, moral and social influence, as well as their obligation to end violence against children. It provides the perspectives of different religions on child protection as well as the following step-by-step tips to help religious leaders and communities take action, seek justice and protect children.
“Children are vulnerable to sexual exploitation online everywhere. We urge faith groups to use this guide to catalyze their deepest moral and spiritual capacities to ensure that the crime of sexual abuse of children is prevented. The world’s diverse religious communities must become allies in addressing this scandal everywhere–in local communities, on the national level and across regions,” said Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace.
“Online sexual abuse and exploitation is a growing global problem for girls and boys, many of whom suffer in silence at the hands of people closest to them in their homes and communities. Through their values, moral authority and extensive networks, religious communities and faith-based organizations play a critical role in helping to break the silence around this crime, protecting children from this atrocity and linking children affected to support services, essential for their healing and protection,” said UNICEF Director of Programmes Ted Chaiban.
Background information
The full Guide is available from ECPAT and UNICEF in English and Spanish, and will be available in French through the same links as of June 2017.
The theme of the 5th Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) in Panama City, 9-11 May, is Ending Violence Against Children: Faith Communities in Action.
About ECPAT
ECPAT is a network of 95 member organisations in 86 countries with one common mission: to end the sexual exploitation of children. To learn more, visit www.ecpat.org
About Religions for Peace
Religions for Peace is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace by working to advance multi-religious consensus on positive aspects of peace as well as concrete actions to stop war, help eliminate extreme poverty and protect the earth.
To learn more, visit http://www.rfp.org
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit www.unicef.org
For more information, please contact ECPAT International at info@ecpat.org