ECPAT International Network Celebrates 25 Years of Dedication to Ending CSEC

Twenty-five years to this day, the idea of a campaign to ‘End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism’ was launched in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with the aim ‘to end the sexual abuse of children by tourists’.

 

25-Years_History

 

Twenty-five years later, this campaign has evolved into a global network of civil society organisations, now known by the acronym ECPAT, dedicated to ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), with member groups and affiliates in 77 countries.

If we are proud of the achievements accomplished, we are also aware of the challenges ahead. So Happy Birthday ECPAT International and the fight goes on!

Presse release

 

Copyright ECPAT Belgique « Stop à l’exploitation sexuelle commerciale des enfants »

Flyer ReACT Pashto

lyer ReACT Arabic

Workshop “Together Against Sexual Exploitation” of Children

On April 24, ECPAT Belgium presented the key findings its research on child friendly justice during a workshop organised together by Missing Children Europe (MCE), eNACSO and ECPAT International in Brussels.

The aim of the workshop was to identify the challenges and good practices in the implementation of the EU Directive 2011/93/EU against child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation. The findings were based on an analysis of 27 reports drafted by national rapporteurs on the implementation of the Directive’s provisions in their own Member State.

Workshop 24-04-2015

 

Out of the 7 topics covered by the survey, focus was set on 3: child friendly justice (ECPAT), disqualification and screening (MCE) as well as grooming (eNACSO). Around 40 representatives from NGO’s, European institutions and Permanent Representations of the Member States attended the workshop which was positively evaluated by all participants.

Copyright ECPAT Belgique « Stop à l’exploitation sexuelle commerciale des enfants »

The lack of protection of young European migrants. Findings and recommendations of Mario II project

The transition of Central and Southern Eastern Europe countries towards a market economy, combined with the freedom of movement of people/goods has pushed young people on the roads towards Western Europe. However, these young migrants are at-risk of being trafficked. Upon arrival in another EU country, they have no guarantee of being protected by the national protection systems, more focused on (third-country) nationals and often excluding migrants from the EU. This analysis presents the Mario II project aiming at raising awareness of policy-makers on the difficulties faced by these young migrants and formulating recommendations for improvements.

Pornographic materials depicting children: new concerning trends

The agency Europol via the European Financial Coalition against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children has released its latest report on the sexual exploitation of children for commercial purposes.Nouvelle image

According to it, there has been great concern over the latest trends of commercial sexual exploitation of children online, including new means of distribution and transaction, most notably through the Deep Web and Darknet.

In addition, the vast expansion of the phenomenon of live streaming of abuse for payment has become a major concern for those involved in combating commercial sexual exploitation of children online. There is a clear shift from traditional credit card payments to the ones providing the most anonymity, namely alternative payment options, including virtual currency. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) analyses point to money transfers and Bitcoin as the most recommended payment methods offered by new brands identified within the Website Brand Project. This indicates that there is a need in this market for functioning and reliable payment systems.

 

Copyright ECPAT Belgique « Stop à l’exploitation sexuelle commerciale des enfants »

Young European migrants inadequately protected

March 05 was held in Brussels the conference of Mario II project by Terre des Hommes and for which ECPAT Belgium is a partner. The conference hosted by MEP Nathalie Griesbeck, brought together experts, NGOs and members of the European Union.

 

Mario

This meeting was an opportunity to present the vulnerability of young European migrants and point gaps in legislation and protection systems. Recommendations were made to improve the conditions of these young people and will be brought to the European Commission.

Children on the Move Mario II publications research

 

Copyright ECPAT Belgique « Stop à l’exploitation sexuelle commerciale des enfants »

The Make-IT-Safe tools disseminated during the Safer Internet Day 2015

ECPAT Belgium has disseminated the tools created during the Make-IT-Safe project on the Safer Internet Day, which is organised annually at the global level to promote a safe use of the new technologies.

Real life virtual life

It is through awareness-raising movies and comics, both serious and funny, that young people have chosen to speak. These tools are intended to stimulate reflection on the risks associated with Internet use among teens and to relay information on online security. Discover their achievements and feel free to spread widely.

Movies

Would you do in the street everything you do on the net? 

Your screen doesn’t protect you in real life

Your acts can have huge consequences

When you share a picture, you’re exposing yourself

It takes time to build trust

 

Comics on password, grooming and image rights

 

Copyright ECPAT Belgique « Stop à l’exploitation sexuelle commerciale des enfants »

Make-IT-Safe tools’ launch in Belgium

IMG_4774To conclude those two fruitful years, ECPAT Belgium and all the participants of the project are launching today the Make-IT-Safe tools.

All in all, it is 6 video clips, 3 comics and 2 training manuals that are published and made available to all those who want to use them with other youth groups.

The tools cover topics such as right of publicity, securing passwords, respect of privacy, sexting, grooming and online harassment.

The awareness raising tools (videos & photo-novellas) have been developed by different groups of young Belgians : scouts, schools, AMO, centres for unaccompanied minors. While the two training manuals, one for youngsters, the other for the coaches have respectively been produced by ECPAT Austria and ECPAT Netherlands.

 

Movies

Would you do in the street everything you do on the net? 

Your screen doesn’t protect you in real life

Your acts can have huge consequences

When you share a picture, you’re exposing yourself

It takes time to build trust

You can learn how to properly use Internet

 

Comics

BD Make-IT-Safe FR

BD Make-IT-Safe EN

 

For further informations :

– Newsletter Make-IT-Safe Decembre 2014

– Press Release

 

Copyright ECPAT Belgique « Stop à l’exploitation sexuelle commerciale des enfants »

Global Monitoring Report on the Status of Action against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ECPAT Belgium issues a study on the implementation of actions against commercial sexual exploitation of children in Belgium.

This report lists the existing measures to prevent and protect children from sexual exploitation at the national level, underlining the progress made since 1989 but also the persisting gaps. A specific focus has been set on the coordination between stakeholders as well as on the participation of children in prevention actions.

ECPAT Belgium calls for more initiatives from the Belgian government to actively fight against commercial sexual exploitation of children and lists a couple of recommendations at the end of the report: the adoption of a national plan of action against CSEC; improving the training of front line workers coming into contact with potential CSEC victims; increasing support for victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking; and increasing child and youth participation in the fight against CSEC.