A/HRC/25/48
113. The Virtual Global Task Force is an alliance of twelve law enforcement agencies
that seek to build partnerships with non-government organizations and the private sector to
help protect children from online child abuse. Since its creation in 2003, it has helped
rescue hundreds of children from sexual abuse, prompted investigations, and identified
hundreds of offenders around the world.68
IV. Conclusions and recommendations
A.
Conclusions
114. Changes in the nature and extent of the sale and sexual exploitation of children
reveal preoccupying trends. Even though this issue has gained increased visibility over
the past years, thanks to the joint efforts of numerous stakeholders, millions of
children worldwide are still victims of sexual exploitation today and have their
childhood stolen. The phenomenon has developed and become increasingly complex.
Risk factors are growing and multiplying. The social tolerance for these crimes,
impunity, corruption and precarious socioeconomic situations remain among the most
challenging obstacles to overcome in combating this scourge. Strategies aimed at
preventing and combating the phenomenon need to be constantly reviewed in the light
of renewed challenges and emerging threats. Importantly, such strategies can only be
effective if they tackle the multidimensional nature of the problem in a comprehensive
and holistic manner. This requires multidisciplinary approaches bridging various
parts of policymaking and tackling the broader environment that can either protect
children or make them more vulnerable. It also calls for increased coordination
among actors at the local, national, regional and global levels.
115. As she reaches the end of her mandate, the Special Rapporteur recognizes that,
despite the significant efforts deployed, the growing magnitude of the risks makes
children more vulnerable, raising significant concerns for the years ahead. Efforts
need to be constantly strengthened and reassessed in order to ensure appropriate
responses. Appropriate responses can only be formulated through genuine political
commitment at the highest level. Laws, action plans and strategies are not enough if
they are not translated into concrete actions, with adequate funding and capacities to
be fully operational.
B.
Recommendations
116. As the world reflects on global development goals for the post-2015 era, the
Special Rapporteur underlines the importance of taking into consideration the strong
linkages between economic, social and political development and child protection
issues. To this end, the Special Rapporteur recommends the inclusion of childsensitive social protection in the post-2015 development agenda.
117. In order to effectively prevent and combat the sale and sexual exploitation of
children in the years ahead, the Special Rapporteur underlines the need to strengthen
and develop comprehensive child rights strategies, building on:
• National comprehensive and child rights-centred protection systems;
• Comprehensive and child rights-centred transnational cooperation.
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