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Protect my future

The widespread failure to protect children is a global crisis, with 0.5-1.5 billion children experiencing violence each year (Pinheiro 2006), 150 million girls and 73 million boys who are raped or subject to sexual violence (WHO 2000), and 115 million children engaged in extremely harmful forms of work (ILO 2010). This global crisis represents a major violation of children's rights; an unacceptable situation, which must be remedied urgently, no matter what the costs.

The IV International Conference "Safe Belarus for Children" under the general heading "Child Protection from Violence System: progress achieved and new approaches" takes place in Minsk, from the 11th to the 13th of December, 2012.
INGO Ponimanie warmly invites leading experts and professionals from the Region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia to share their ideas and provide information about the progress achieved in the work of Child Protection systems of the Region. Among the main issues that are going to be discussed there are Child Protection from Abuse System, including Reporting on Child Helplines and Hotlines, Child Friendly Investigation and Trial, Treatment of Abused Children, Missing and Exploited Children, Child Protection in Parental Divorce and Domestic Violence. Accepted participants will not have to pay the Registration Fee at the conference. Abstract submission is extended till November 15, 2012.

First Children's Embassy in the World Megjashi from Macedonia has just issued a new newsletter in which you can find the latest contents regarding the ongoing activities within the organization.

Commercial sexual exploitation of children means not only forced prostitution, but also undertaking sexual contacts with minors in exchange for money or gifts. It is a form of child abuse and a crime punished with imprisonment. Although teenagers offering or consenting to sex in exchange for gifts or money can look older than they are in reality, the adults are those responsible for abusing a child.

During big sport events children are more at risk of commercial sexual exploitation due to increased inflow of tourists, feeling of anonymity of offenders in a foreign country and organised crime activity.

Nobody's Children Foundation in Poland and Child Well- being Fund in Ukraine are running educational campaign on the issue of threats associated with commercial sexual exploitation faced by children and youth.