Child Trafficking

On 15th-16th June 2010 25 experts from the Baltic Sea Region met to discuss situation of children in the asylum system and children in migration in relation to the risk trafficking. The seminar was organised by Save the Children Denmark in cooperation with the EGCC, Caritas Lithuania and Tartu Child Support Centre. The participants met to discuss information channels and structures established among various groups of professionals and how can a better information management contribute to more comprehensive and adequate protection systems for children at risk of trafficking.

Tenth Trafficking in Persons Report is already available. The report, issued by the U.S. Department of State, estimates the number of children and adults being forced into labour or prostitution all around the world on 12,3 million. The report is the most comprehensive and up-to-date international document referring to human trafficking. It covers 177 countries and different aspects of the phenomenon. The aim of the report is to raise awareness of the worldwide existence of human trafficking and to initiate actions that will lead to its elimination.

On 6 May European Commission adopted Action Plan on Unaccompanied Minors with an aim to increase protection of minors without care entering EU, to ensure that a decision regarding each minor is taken by a competent authority as soon as possible and to create a common European approach regarding this issue.
Minors arrive to EU for a number of different reasons, for example to escape wars, poverty or discrimination. Some are victims of trafficking. According to Eurostat in 2009 10 960 unaccompanied minors applied for refugee status in 22 Member States, that is 13% more compared to 2008.

Our Child Foundation from Czech Republic is running "Red Card for Child Abuse" campaign as part of its efforts to protect children. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness among the general public regarding the various forms of psychological and physical abuse children face in the Czech Republic, including the commercial exploitation of children, child pornography, prostitution, and child trafficking. The overall aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of children suffering from these forms of abuse in the country. Additionally the goal is to inform the public about the statutory obligation to notify authorities about the cases of child abuse.