A Call to Action: Protecting Our Children from Sexual Exploitation
What You Can Do to Help.
- English
- ລາວ
What Can You Do to Help?
When incidents involving children are shared online, even with good intentions, it often leads to further embarrassment and trauma for the victimized children.
Here are some steps you can take when you see harmful content involving children online, especially those that may constitute sexual exploitation of children:
- Refrain from Sharing: Never share photos or videos of children who have been abused on social media. Such actions can cause more harm than good, amplifying the child's trauma. Instead, take immediate action by reporting these cases to the appropriate authorities.
- Report Harmful Content: Actively report any posts or pages that share harmful content. This helps to remove the content from the public eye and protects children from further cyberbullying and exploitation.
In Lao PDR, concerned individuals can report incidents related to child abuse to local and national authorities. The Lao Women’s Union hotline, accessible at 1362, is available for reporting cases and seeking advice.
What is Sexual Exploitation?
Sexual exploitation refers to the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes, often perpetrated by those in positions of authority, such as aid workers, against the children and families they serve. This exploitation encompasses actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under coercive conditions.
When such misconduct is carried out by individuals other than aid workers, it is defined as sexual violence, which occurs globally and affects all segments of society. Women and children in emergency settings are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse.
UNICEF vehemently condemns all forms of child abuse. Every child has the right to safety and protection under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Child abuse is a crime against society and a grave violation of human rights.
How is Sexual Exploitation Identified?
- A child may disclose the abuse directly to authorities.
- Family members or neighbors might report suspicions or confirm abuse based on the child’s account.
- Physical injuries on a child that lack a satisfactory explanation could raise concerns.
- Behavioral signs indicating potential abuse might prompt authorities to investigate.
- Third-party disclosures or suspicions may alert authorities to possible abuse.
- Observations of interactions between a child and their caregiver might trigger further investigation.
It is essential for individuals who witness incidents of child abuse to document the situation in detail, including the location and circumstances, while also ensuring the safety and privacy of the victim.
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