Ensuring meaningful child and youth participation in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation of children: the ECPAT experience

The meaningful participation of children and young people (CYP) in combating commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is an integral part of ECPAT’s work. Creating opportunities for these children to take on leadership roles within their communities or organizations helps build their sense of resilience and empowerment while at the same time, promoting social mobilization to fight against sexual violence and exploitation. This report illustrates a number of children’s initiatives against commercial sexual exploitation from around the world. Strengthening ECPAT’s child and youth participation has been a process of exploration and innovation which is still at its early stages of refinement and development. As children and youth have been mobilized for social action, the resource needs (both in human resources and financially) have become more apparent. However, if we recognize children’s participation as a fundamental part of the strategy to achieve children’s protection from sexual exploitation, then we are also recognizing our own responsibility to uphold children’s fundamental rights.