Terre des Hommes is committed to combating all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. In addition to providing concrete assistance to victims, a key focus is on informing, raising awareness, and motivating people to take action – so that such situations don't arise in the first place. Support our projects that help children who have been victims of sexual violence.
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Sexual and sexualized violence – data and facts
Sexual violence against children is a crime
Definition: Sexual violence against children occurs when one or more persons engage in sexualized acts with girls or boys under the age of 18 for their own sexual gratification. This includes sexual intercourse, showing pornographic material, exhibitionism, unwanted touching, and comments about their genitals. The perpetrator abuses their position of power and authority. The commercial sexual exploitation of children occurs in sex tourism, for pornography, and in child trafficking.
Right to protection from sexual abuse.
According to Article 34 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, all states parties are obligated to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. To this end, states must take appropriate measures to prevent children from being sexually exploited or abused
- being induced or coerced into participating in unlawful sexual acts
- be exploited for prostitution or other illegal practices
- are exploited for pornographic performances and depictions.
Causes and background
Girls and boys are predominantly victims of sexual violence within their family or close social environment – this is true in Germany as well as in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Patriarchal and authoritarian systems, as well as collapsing social and economic structures and wars, facilitate this violation of children's rights.
Pay
- Approximately 150 million girls and 73 million boys under the age of 18 are victims of sexual violence every year.
- An estimated 1.8 million children are forced into prostitution and pornography each year.
- The revenue generated from child prostitution and child pornography is estimated at six billion euros.
- It is estimated that there are around 50,000 regular consumers of child pornography in Germany alone.
- More than 13,000 cases of sexual abuse of minors are reported annually in Germany.
Demands and goals
Sexual violence against children is a crime – worldwide. That's why Terre des Hommes demands:
- not only to ratify international agreements for the protection of children, but also to implement them without reservations.
- cross-border strategies to combat these crimes.
- the establishment of central contact points or hotlines in the countries of origin to receive reports of sexual violence against minors.
- The judicial revocation of parental rights for parents who have sexually exploited their children and have been convicted.
- Information and education for educators about the dangers of the internet.
What you can do
- Be vigilant while traveling abroad. Inform your embassy, the police, or your local tour operator immediately if you encounter any activities related to the sexual exploitation of children.
- Be vigilant, both at home and abroad, for websites and advertisements in newspapers and magazines that depict or promote the sexual exploitation of children in connection with tourism. Report all observations to the local police and your embassy.
- When booking your trip, check whether it is a reputable travel provider that explicitly opposes the exploitation of children in tourism.
- Help raise awareness about the issue of child sexual exploitation in tourism. Especially during travel season, talk about it with friends, colleagues, groups, and clubs.