Download PRESS RELEASE: ECPAT NZ Child ALERT is deeply concerned at

PRESS RELEASE:
ECPAT NZ Child ALERT is deeply concerned at reports of an increase in the number
under aged sex workers in South Auckland and calls for increased protection of the
young men and women involved. All children need to be safeguarded from being
exploited in this way.
“Child prostitutes face many risks. They are run an increased risk of violence, threats,
rape, theft and negative health impacts such as sexually transmitted diseases, early
pregnancy, mental health issues, substance abuse and violence” says Yvonne
Dufaur, ECPAT Child ALERT Chairperson.
ECPAT Child ALERT’s research has shown that commercial sexual activity involving
children occurs across the country; in rural areas, towns and cities. Young sex
workers are more likely to have been sexually abused, have left or are pushed out
from home very early. In many cases they are forced into prostitution as they have no
other way of getting money to buy drugs, accommodation, and food. Some are
seeking emotional contact and companionship.
ECPAT Child ALERT is also concerned that young people are putting themselves in
danger because they fear the authorities and are therefore not seeking help for illicit
drug usage and the treatment of diseases. Greater coordination is needed between
authorities to ensure the children are protected and those buying their services dealt
with swiftly by the police and legal system. This needs adequate resourcing.
Further concerted action must be taken to combat child poverty and other
vulnerability factors in order to fully eliminate the risks of the commercial sexual
exploitation of children.
‘ECPAT Child ALERT believes that current moves to ban prostitutes from certain
areas will not solve the situation, but will result in driving prositutes to operate from
places that put them in greater danger. Instead, legislation to prosecute the buyers
of sexual services rather than the sellers, as happens in Sweden, appears to be a
much more effective law’ comments Dufaur.
Contact – Sue Elliott, ECPAT Child ALERT Trust Member – 021 827 767
ECPAT Child ALERT NZ is a non-government organisation and part of a global
network formed to end Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of
Children for Sexual Purposes.