Child and Youth strategy 2024-2029

Sexual exploitation of children is increasing globally. We have to renew our approach to effectively
address this crime.
But, how can we be effective if we don’t engage with the first ones concerned by this, the children?
Girls and boys from around the world seem to be old enough to learn about sexuality online, left on
their own to figure out safety features of technologies, to attend educational, sport, religious and
cultural institutions that have no child protection and safeguarding culture and policies, and to
be asked to repeat traumatizing experiences over and over again in justice and social procedures
to “serve” justice and fight impunity. But when it is time to engage them in combatting sexual
exploitation, most adults reject the option. Too costly and complicated. Too long. It incurs risks. It
is not appropriate. This could victimise them, trigger them. And so on.