TRAFFICKING Child Sex Slavery in Romania and South East Asia

What is child sex trafficking? Child sex trafficking is a crime against humanity. It entails the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of a child who is under aged (18) for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Causes of Trafficking DemandPovertyCorruption Gender discrimination Social upheaval

Why children? Children are vulnerable in society -Naivety, inexperience, size. -Easy to exploit and abuse -very cheap Children are forced in to the industry -Trickery, desperation, poverty or kidnapping -Lured by false advertising Demand -Result of high value of virginity -Demand from child sex offenders from outside the region (westerners) -Belief that sex with young children or virgins can cure HIV.

ROMANIA

Background - Trafficking and child prostitution in Romania Romania is a source, transit, and destination country for child sex trafficking Rate of missing children in Romania is increasing: 244 in 2003 to 750 in Over 2000 homeless children live in Romania In order to survive, 5% of these children are forced to accept money for sex 30% of sex workers in Bucharest are under 18

Map of Romania This map shows the main center of trafficking, Bucharest and surrounding countries, Moldova and Ukraine – where slaves are trafficked to and from. Bucharest: Main center of Romanian child trafficking

Trafficking and child prostitution in Romania The child sex industry in Romania has been propelled by tourism – demands of westerners for sex with children Romania is a central area and gateway for trafficking and sexual exploitation of women in Asia and Eastern Europe C entered in Bucharest – highest concentration of people Borders of Romania are doorways for trafficking to surrounding countries, Hungary, Moldova, and Yugoslavia.

Rights of Romanian Children Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was confirmed by Romania in1990. Law states that police, social workers and prosecutors are educated on receiving, watching and investigating situations where child prostitution may be occurring. Ensures that local law enforcements in Romania investigate and prosecute more in response to complaints. Provides victims of forced prostitution access to recovery programs and services

Word Made Flesh Word Made Flesh works to improve education by funding schooling, medical and tutoring programs Summer camps that involve art and computer work. Partner children with a mentor – to teach and help them. Provide counseling programs and community support. Advocate for those who have been prostituted. 40 at risk children received an education in 2010 due to WMF

SOUTH EAST ASIA

Background – Trafficking and child prostitution South East Asia South East Asia: One of the meccas of the sex trafficking industry. Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia and Thailand are the central districts of the business. 37% of regional population under 15 = large 'product' supply Asia Pacific region hosts poor population of 55 million. Traffickers capitalize on the poverty within the region. Exploit children in the sex trade- large scale profit.

Background - Trafficking and child prostitution South East Asia Children are lured in to the industry through trickery, desperation or kidnapping. The demand for sex with children and young girls is attributed to the high value of virginity among East Asian cultures. Children are subjected to various forms of sexual abuse. - Imprisoned -Live in poor housing with inadequate food or water. -Contract various forms of STI's and become infertile from the force of sexual abuse they must endure. -Threatened with violence, starvation or bondage unless they have sex with clients.

Pathways of child trafficking within the South East Asia Central trafficking region

MDTP - Combating child trafficking South East Asia The Mekong Delta Trafficking Project involves regions of Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam and is Supported by World Vision Child Rescue. AIM: To prevent child trafficking and exploitation by: Providing communities with information, resources and support so they know how to protect at-risk children Prevention programs and education for children in high-risk areas Referral services and reintegration programs for trafficking survivors to enable them to make a smoother transition back into their home communities Preventing traffickers from gaining access to vulnerable children and adults.

Combating the Situation

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC's seeks to prevent trafficking through raising awareness among policy-makers, law enforcement bodies and civil society. In April 2006, UNODC published the report Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns identifying 127 countries of origin, 98 transit countries and 137 destination countries. UNODC is developing training materials for law enforcers working to prevent human trafficking and smuggling across borders.

Combating the Situation Repercussions of brutality of experience last long after victim’s ordeal. Many victims are emotionally scarred, succumbing mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Both government and non government organisations, such as World Vision, World Made Flesh and ANITP support the prevention of trafficking, rehabilitation services. Shelters provided. Victims receive psychological counseling, food, board, and medical care. Governments collaborate with International Organization for Migration - setting up transit facilities and shelters.

Combating the situation Ultimately, prevention of the sex trade lies in education, health and reducing poverty rates. (Ideally), more people in the South East Asia and Romania receive higher education = higher rate of people workforce. Result in repairing society and social attitudes of the region People will no longer have to result to illegal and ethically wrong activities in order to maintain a steady income.

How You Can Help? Raise awareness Educate yourself by reading books or doing research Volunteer at international organizations combating against sex trafficking in Romania and South East Asia Educate others on how to prevent child sex trafficking Bring attention to political leaders about concerns of child sex trafficking in Romania and South East Asia

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