ESCAP Adopts Resolution Against Sexual Abuse

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ESCAP Adopts Resolution on Elimination of Sexual Abuse of Children and Youth

The fifty-third session of ESCAP, 23-30 April, focused attention on a growing problem in the region through the adoption of a resolution to eliminate sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of young persons. The resolution was sponsored by Australia, Japan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, United States of America and Viet Nam. It was unanimously adopted by all 60 member governments of ESCAP on 30 April.

he rising incidence of sexual abuse (rape and incest) and sexual exploitation (trafficking, pornography and prostitution) of children and youth has caused considerable alarm in recent years, particularly in the Greater Mekong countries of Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, China (Yunnan Province), Myanmar and Thailand. Reports from the World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Sweden in August 1996, reveal that everyday more and more girls and boys are being lured into the commercial sex trade and that the majority of them are adolescents.

There is clear evidence that a thriving cross-border trade in child prostitution exists within the Greater Mekong subregion. Since the 1980s migration flows into Thailand and within the Mekong basin region have soared as an indirect consequence of socio-economic and political hardship in these countries. Girls from Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Myanmar are trafficked into Thailand, while Vietnamese girls and increasingly Chinese girls from the southern province of mainland China are trafficked into Cambodia.

Reports indicate that young persons are lured into the sex trade by the age of 12-13 years and are likely to leave their place of origin from 13 years onwards. Such sexual and gender-based violence, including physical and psychological abuse, place girls at high risk of physical harm and mental trauma.

Moreover, sex is often unprotected and consequently these girls are at risk of contracting STDs, including HIV, and the stigma that is associated with it. They are also at risk of becoming pregnant, and those who proceed to deliver their infants undergo the associated problems of childbearing and motherhood. Others may resort to unsafe abortions which may result in infections and consequently infertility. These young persons are particularly vulnerable because of their lack of information and access to relevant health and social services.

Victims and potential victims of sexual abuse and exploitation are in great need of social and medical services as well as psychological and career counselling. Social and health personnel play a critical role in the prevention as well as recovery and reintegration of these victims into society. They are in direct touch with this target group through the provision of services such as education and health care and are, therefore, in a position to address the specific needs of the target group.

As a result of the adoption of this resolution, ESCAP will undertake a series of research, information dissemination and training activities to support HRD policies and programmes to improve access to relevant health and social services, education and training and employment for sexually abused and exploited young persons.

Click here for the full text of the resolution adopted by ESCAP on 30 April.