Issues on the G8 Agenda
Date: 3-5 July 2005
Location: Dunblane, Scotland
UNICEF Adolescent Development and Participation Unit,
Programme Division, HQ and the UK Committee is
organising a 'C8' children's summit due to take place
just before the G8 meeting of leaders, from 3rd to 5th
July 2005 in Scotland, United Kingdom. Young people
from eight of the world's least developed countries -
Bhutan, Cambodia, Moldova, Yemen, Republic of Guinea,
Sierra Leone, Bolivia and Lesotho will be joining young
people from G8 countries, Russia, France, Italy, Germany
and the UK to debate, discuss and firmly place their
issues on the agenda of the G8 leaders.
As part of C8, UNICEF is holding a webchat for young
people in association with UNICEF's Voices of Youth
Website. This webchat started on 1 June 2005 and will
last for one month. This is a chance for young people
from across the globe to debate issues which they think
the G8 leaders should address.
Their views will form part of a report which will be given
to the G8 leaders.
For more information, contact:
Nina O'Farrell, C8 Project Manager
Tel: + 44 20 7312 7667;Fax: + 44 20 7405 2332
Email: ninao@unicef.org.uk
Website: http://www.c8forum.org
Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=5665
To access the webchat.
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SEXUAL EXPLOITATION:
US Law Fails to Protect American Victims
[NEW YORK, 27 April 2005] - ECPAT-USA just released
an investigative report, "Who Is There to Help Us?
How the System Fails Sexually Exploited Girls in
the US," to call attention to the disparity in treat-
ment between American and foreign girls who are
trafficked for sexual exploitation. This report is
a major stepping-stone, which serves as an "Amber
Alert" as it brings attention and calls for reform,
and services to over 300,000 American children,
whose lives are at risk of commercial sexual
exploitation.
While in theory the Trafficking Victims Protection
Act of 2000 (TVPA), that the US Congress enacted,
provides protection for American girls who are
coerced into sexual exploitation, the report
explains that in practice the TVPA falls short.
American girls are practically ignored while
foreign girls receive federal assistance.
According to the report, the difficulty in
child trafficking and exploitation cases is
the invisible nature of the crime and lack of
hard data. The report, which was primarily based
on personal interviews, provides a regional
perspective in its coverage of four American
cities: New York, Atlanta, Minneapolis,and
San Francisco.
The report strives to make readers aware that
although these children are technically breaking
the law because of prostitution, they are victims
and should be treated as such. ECPAT-USA continues
through research, monitoring, and public awareness
to be the leading US organisation combating child
prostitution, pornography and trafficking for
sexual purposes.
For more information, contact:
Carol Smolenski, ECPAT USA
157 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 US
Tel: + 1 718 935 9192; Fax: + 1 718 935 9173
Email: csmolenski@ecpatusa.org
Website: http://www.ecpatusa.org
Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=5679
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Commentary:
This report is a perfect example of what some of my other
posts have been getting at: the authorities are devoting
much time, energy and funds to fighting the international
and global sex trade, while ignoring the sexual abuse,
violence and exploitation that is happening to the
children on our very own streets of our city, province
and country. There is very little funding that goes toward
supports, resources, or interventions for children at a local
level. It is hypocritical, ignorant and short-sighted to be
so wilfully blind to our own problems and the rights of
our children.
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