Stop child trafficking

The challenge
Poor families in vulnerable rural communities in North Thailand and North Cambodia are ready targets for human traffickers who pose as messengers from rich employers in town. These traffickers offer work and education. The parents and young people do not have the insight and knowledge to see through these criminals. They are usually seduced by the attractive offer. They desperately need the money to alleviate their poverty, and an education offers a better future than they can offer their child themselves. Once away from the home, the children are often exploited sexually. Or traded. Their parents never hear from them again. Very few children manage to escape and return home.

The changers
ECPAT alerts parents and children to the dangers, helps victims and protects children against sexual exploitation. The YPP programme trains and supports survivors of commercial sexual exploitation to share their experiences with vulnerable peers. Radio campaigns, information meetings and group meetings enable them to prevent more children from falling victim to child traffickers. ICS supports the YPP programme of ECPAT in the south of Cambodia and in the north of Thailand. The programme is also being rolled out in one of the poorest provinces of Cambodia, Odor Meanchey.

The change
Thanks to the YPP programme, vulnerable families are able to recognize child traffickers and report them to the authorities. Through proper information and the testimonies of young survivors, fewer and fewer children run the risk of falling into the hands of child traffickers. In addition, young people, children and their parents are joining forces to encourage local and national authorities to undertake more action against the trade in children and commercial sexual exploitation.

Some concrete goals of ECPAT
In 2012 – 2013, with the support of ICS, ECPAT wants to achieve the following:
• The guidelines for this programme are evaluated and improved.
• Research determines the extent of the risk of child trafficking and sexual exploitation for children and young people in North Cambodia.
• 525 children and young people provide information about the risks and the measures they can take to protect themselves and others.
• 4600 parents and carers are informed on how they can protect children.
• 6000 children and young people can explain how they can protect themselves and others against sexual exploitation and child trafficking.