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.

“Every day, adults take decisions for young people without consulting them” said a 17-year old member of « Youth Force». While the role played by different stakeholders in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation of children has been studied, very few research has been done on child participation within this fight. However, children and youth are directly affected by this problem and are the first concerned and impacted by the protection measures. This analysis explores the role of child participation in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation of children and how this participation can be implemented.