A/HRC/43/40 5. Data collection and analysis 109. While children are repeatedly referred to as a particularly vulnerable group in reports to the high-level political forum on sustainable development (see A/73/174 and Corr.1), there is a general lack of analysis and disaggregated data on how the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is being implemented in relation to the elimination of the sale and sexual exploitation of children, to ensure that no child is left behind. The absence of reliable data jeopardizes efforts to combat the sale and sexual exploitation of children. The hidden nature of those violations makes data collection extremely important. The Special Rapporteur hopes that the impetus provided by the Sustainable Development Goals and their corresponding indicators will lead to further efforts in this area. V. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 110. The Special Rapporteur recognizes the ongoing legislative, institutional and policy efforts undertaken by States aimed at clarifying terminology, improving crosssectoral and transnational cooperation and raising awareness with regard to the sale and sexual exploitation of children. She is concerned, however, that serious gaps in legislative and policy implementation, including those identified by her predecessor in her report at the end of her tenure (A/HRC/25/48), remain unaddressed. 111. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges that although significant gains have been achieved in terms of awareness-raising, the scale of the problem continues to expand at an alarming rate. Several manifestations of the sale and sexual exploitation of children are worsening further and their underpinning causes becoming increasingly complex to tackle. Furthermore, the social, cultural, gender and institutional constructs that foster the conditions in which the sexual exploitation of children is ignored, tolerated or even accepted continue to prevail. Rapid global developments such as conflict, migration, natural disasters and economic instability further contribute to increasing the vulnerability of children. The global expansion of ICT means that more children will be at risk of abuse and exploitation on a much wider scale and that detection of such abuse and exploitation will become extremely difficult. With these challenges in mind, more robust efforts, means and resources are needed to prevent and eradicate the scourge of the sale and sexual exploitation of children. 112. The Special Rapporteur observes that national systems are largely failing to effectively address impunity, identify all child victims and provide them with adequate recovery and rehabilitation services. Existing data-collection mechanisms are inconsistent, which continues to obstruct the effectiveness and efficiency of prevention and response efforts. Efforts to prioritize prevention through education and awareness-raising campaigns are insufficient. Comprehensive legal systems, holistic policies and proper data collection are the first steps. These policies must be rooted in the framework of an overall strategy to address all forms of violence – including the sale and sexual exploitation of children, both offline and online – which should be implemented in a collaborative manner, with coordination across sectors and States. States must step up their efforts and allocate the resources necessary to achieve targets 8.7 and 16.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals. 113. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur can serve as a platform to monitor progress in implementation of these polices, identify and raise awareness about persisting and emerging challenges, and encourage more collaboration and exchange of good practices through constructive dialogue with States and with representatives of civil society, the private sector and children themselves beyond the country visits, provided that the necessary resources are available. Cooperation and coordination with other United Nations entities is also essential. 18