Kenya launches a Study on Child Sexual Exploitation of Children

Tuesday, 13 December 2016 | The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect this week successfully launched the Kenya Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Travel and Tourism, which is part of the Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Travel and Tourism. The launch was held at the InterContinental Hotel, Nairobi from 7.00am to 10.40am and was presided over by the Director Children Services, Mr Noah Sanganyi.

In 2015, End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT) – International commissioned a Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. The study covered 14 countries in the world. Of the 14 countries, five of them were in Africa, namely, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The purpose of the research was to strengthen the evidence-base, raise awareness and build consensus on priority actions needed in law and policy reform to address sexual exploitation of children. The research also aimed at identifying programmes and services that governments, the tourism industry and civil society organizations could implement to prevent and eliminate sexual exploitation of children in the travel and tourism industries.

In Kenya, the study was conducted by the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), a pan African child rights organization based in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was carried out in the framework of the Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Travel and Tourism industry and was undertaken in four sub counties in Nairobi, namely; Embakasi, Kamukunji, Kasarani and Starehe.

Based on the findings of the study, several recommendations have been proposed to address sexual exploitation of children in the travel and tourism industry. The study is, therefore, worth sharing with other stakeholders that are implementing activities and providing services to at risk and victims of sexual exploitation of children in Kenya to improve knowledge and practice on sexual exploitation of children.

An estimated 80 participants took part in the event. the participants were drawn from Government departments were well represented during the launch of the Kenya SECTT study including the Ministry of Tourism officials, Department of Children Services, Director of Public Prosecution Office, Attorney General Office, the Advisory Committee on Counter Trafficking, police); and representatives from the Civil Society Organizations and the private sector.

Follow the links below to read the sectt-kenya and the global-report-offenders-move-final on Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Travel and Tourism.