Child Exploitation
What Child exploitation is… the use of children for someone else’s advantage, gratification or profit often resulting in unjust, cruel and harmful treatment of the child.
Examples of child exploitation (not limited) to:
Orphanage/School Tourism: the recruitment of children into orphanages for the purpose of exploitation and profit.
Child sexual trafficking: the recruitment, harbouring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronising, or soliciting of a minor for the purpose of a commercial sex act.
Child Labour: work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development
Child abuse: physical maltreatment or sexual molestation of a child.
Forced marriage: marriages in which one and/or both parties have not personally expressed their full and free consent to the union
What impact child exploitation has on a child…
UNICEF: There is significant evidence that such exploitation and abuse can affect a child’s physical and mental health in the short and longer terms, with increased risks of illness, unwanted pregnancy, psychological distress, stigma, discrimination and difficulties at school. These factors impair a child’s ability to learn and socialise as well as impact on the transition to adulthood with adverse consequences later in life.
“These physical, psychological and social consequences not only affect girls and boys, but also their families and communities”
Ways to prevent child exploitation…
-promote positive social norms in all contexts to prevent and respond to exploitation and abuse directed at children.”
-conduct awareness training in schools, so children can learn how to keep safe, as well as how and where to report any suspicious activity
-conduct awareness training for employees, so they can learn the policies and procedures around child exploitation.
Who can I contact if I witness or suspect child exploitation…
If you think a child is being exploited, don’t confront the suspected perpetrator. This may put the child in more danger. Instead, contact the Director of your organisation or workplace and report this to them. From there that person can contact the local authorities for child protection to have the issue handled correctly. You can also contact the following hotlines for advice on the matter:
-The Childhelp® National Child Abuse Hotline – Professional crisis counselors will connect you with a local number to report abuse. Call: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
-The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) – Aimed at preventing child abduction and exploitation, locating missing children, and assisting victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation. Call: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
-National Human Trafficking Resource Center – A 24-hour hotline open all day, every day, which helps identify, protect, and serve victims of trafficking. Call: 1-800-373-7888.
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