2021 05 11
The European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights and Child10 presents a discussion on the identification of children victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in Europe
The 10th of May Child10 and the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights co-hosted a Roundtable Discussion on the Identification of child victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in Europe.
The Child10 Awarded Members who are working directly with child victims and those at risk shared their valuable experiences and insight and we are so thankful to the MEPs who participated in the event as well as the government representatives and representatives from key European institutions and agencies.
It is only by bringing together all relevant actors in this field that we can identify holistic and effective solutions to end trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
About the discussion
Recent European studies show an alarming increase in trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Europe and the perpetrators are constantly finding new ways of exploiting children amplifying the cross-sectoral nature of human trafficking.
The new EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings 2021-2025 particularly highlights the importance of proactive early identification and cross-sectoral collaboration among frontline officers, such as border guards, police officers, social workers and civil society organizations, as well as the role of Internet service providers.
The recently released EU strategy on the rights of the child 2021- 2024 also emphasizes the importance of improved identification of child victims of trafficking and sexual abuse to ensure an EU where the justice system upholds the rights and needs of children victims of this horrendous crime.
During the seminar a variety of viewpoints will be presented to enhance our collective understanding of how trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Europe is happening and how victim identification can be improved, especially from the perspective of organizations across Europe working directly with child victims.
We will also discuss the cross-national aspect of child trafficking and sexual exploitation and how to improve outreach efforts and identification of victims and children at risk. We will also discuss recent policy developments in this field and how to ensure effective implementation to stop trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Europe.
Participating in the discussion were:
Mr. Emilio Puccio, Coordinator of European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights
Mr. Jacob Flärdh, Secretary General of Child10
MEP Evin Incir Privat (Sweden, S&D), Vice-Chair of the Intergroup on Children’s Rights
MEP Milan Brlgez (Slovenia, S&D), Vice-Chair of the Intergroup on Children’s Rights
MEP Ramona Strugariu (Romania) Renew Europe
Mr. Olivier Onidi, acting EU anti-trafficking coordinator, European Commission
Ms. Anna Ekstedt, Swedish Ambassador at Large for Combating Trafficking in Persons
Mr Jari Liukku, Head of the Serious Organised Crime centre, Europol
Mr. Duco Van Heel Van Heel, Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, Frontex.
and the ten Child10 Awarded Members 2021:
Footprint to Freedom from The Netherlands
lightup International from Germany, Austria and Norway
Novi Put from Bosnia-Herzegovina