160 million children worldwide are victims of child labour, as estimated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Approximately 79 million of these children are forced into hazardous work, which not only poses risks to their health, safety, and morals but can also involve sexual exploitation for financial gain.
Child sex trafficking and exploitation are concerning issues that represent a severe violation of children's and adolescents' rights. They constitute a form of economic exploitation, similar to other types of forced labour. Commercial sexual exploitation encompasses the involvement of children in sexual activities in exchange for money, both on the streets and indoors in venues such as brothels, massage parlours, bars, hotels, and restaurants. It also encompasses the trafficking of children for sex trade, child sex tourism, and the production, promotion, and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
In our current digital environment, a significant amount of commercial sexual exploitation is facilitated through digital technologies. The misuse of tools like social media enables the recruitment and exploitation of child victims. Offenders can create fake profiles, identify potential victims, establish relationships, and exploit them sexually online. These victims may be coerced into producing sexual material that can be saved, shared, and sold to others.
Knowing what to look for can help people recognise when a child is in danger more easily and make a report. NCMEC has published an overview of the most common types of trafficking, classified based on the relationship between the victim and trafficker. While there are gang-controlled, pimp-controlled, and buyer-perpetrated forms of child trafficking, familial trafficking is responsible for more than half of the cases. Most people believe that traffickers are usually strangers. However, almost half of child trafficking cases begin with the involvement of a family member according to a report released by the IOM (International Organisation of Migration).
Child labour, and especially hazardous and damaging "labour" like commercial child sexual exploitation, are harrowing issues, and the psychological impact of living through such an experience is devastating. But thankfully, there is something every one of us can do to prevent and stop the rise in child sexual exploitation and trafficking. Stopping this requires collective efforts, and various stakeholders in each sector must work together to achieve the best results.
The role of education
Education is crucial in tackling this issue. Keeping children aware and informed can make a difference since most traffickers use psychological control to manipulate their victims.
The role of the travel and tourism sector
In an increasingly interconnected world, the travel and tourism sector plays an important role in preventing child sexual exploitation. Abuse linked to travel and tourism remains a serious concern, but there are clear steps businesses can take to reduce risks.
Organisations can:
Well-informed staff can play a crucial role in identifying and reporting suspicious situations.
What all of us can do
Everyone has a role to play in protecting children. Staying alert and reporting concerns can make a real difference. Situations that may warrant attention include:
In addition to staying alert in everyday life, members of the public can support investigations into child sexual exploitation. Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, enables people to assist by helping identify objects linked to ongoing investigations. You can also inform yourself about common human trafficking indicators, which provides guidance on what to look out for and how to respond safely.
It is important to remember that children respond to abuse in different ways. They may not always appear distressed or frightened. If something does not feel right, trust your instincts and report your concerns to the appropriate authorities.
If you suspect a child trafficking situation, contact local law enforcement or relevant child protection services immediately.
Safer Internet Day would not be possible without the support of the European Union. Currently, the funding is provided by the Connecting Europe Facility programme (CEF). In the future, actions will be funded through the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). Find out more about the European Commission’s new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) on the EC website.
