Private Sector Representatives Vow To Help Fight The Sexual Exploitation Of Children

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 30 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Representatives from Canada and around the world held talks over the last two days to discuss the role the private sector plays through socially responsible initiatives to curb sexual exploitation of children.

The private sector plays an important and growing role in the prevention of violence, exploitation and abuse of children. The evolving face of child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, on the internet, and in the media renders it impossible to counter without the private sector's involvement and support.

The travel and tourism industry and new technologies have been at the centre of private sector initiatives to eliminate sexual exploitation of children.

The number of children in both affluent and impoverished parts of the globe who are trafficked for sexual purposes, exploited by tourists, and violated through pornography and Internet-related crimes, continues to grow.

In the last two days, participants have learned about industry codes of conduct, their effective implementation and monitoring; about innovative legislation to protect children from sexual exploitation; and about the latest research on what works in the fight against child sexual exploitation.

Young people who attended the event told delegates what they feel needs to be done to help protect them from this terrible crime. The outcomes of this meeting will now help shape discussions during the World Congress III Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children to be held in Rio de Janeiro from 25-28 November 2008 and will help broaden the range of socially responsible partnerships among a variety of industries in the lead up to the event.

The Winnipeg Global Consultation is organized by UNICEF Canada and the Child Welfare League of Canada, with the contribution of the Canadian Red Cross, Beyond Borders, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection in collaboration with the Central Organizing Committee for the World Congress, and with the financial support of the City of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Foundation, Healthy Child Manitoba and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

About UNICEF

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

UNICEF

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